Public regardingness in energy conservation attitudes

Abstract

Though many studies have explored public attitudes concerning energy conservation programs, few have addressed attitudes which are specifically political in the sense of addressing the relationship between the individual and the community or state. The paper suggests a role in evaluation research for the study of political values that are potentially relevant to energy conservation policy. The concept of public regardingness helps to define such values. The paper develops the concept of public regardingness, and examines state-level survey data concerning public regarding attitudes. The findings suggest that the public regarding component of attitudes concerning energy conservation is weak and unrelated to variables including income, education, and race. The implications of this finding for the future of energy policy are suggested.