Fuel poverty in the US: Evidence using the 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Abstract

Fuel poverty has received less attention in the US than in parts of Europe, particularly Northern Europe. We use data from the 2009 US Residential Energy Consumption Survey to illustrate the extent of the problem and to contrast homeowners and renters who differ in both income and energy expenditure. Narrowing the focus to homeowners on the east coast of the country, we use a logit model to look for differences in predictors of fuel poverty in the relatively cold Northeast states versus warmer South Atlantic states. Overall, there are more similarities than differences in these predictors. Insulation standards differ regionally and this is important for the South Atlantic states where respondents who self-report having adequate insulation are less likely to be in fuel poverty by our definition.