Encouraging Pollution‐Free Energy: The Diffusion of State Net Metering Policies*

In: Social science quarterly, Band 89, Heft 5, S. 1230-1251

Abstract

Objective. As the price of energy swells, renewable energy sources will serve as important alternatives to fossil fuels. Identifying what influences a state to adopt a policy that promotes the construction of renewable energy sources is an important step toward understanding the nature of our future energy supplies.Methods. Using an event‐history analysis, we examine three competing diffusion explanations on the likelihood of a state adopting net metering.Results. We find that regional policy diffusion influences the likelihood of a state to adopt a net metering policy.Conclusions. The results suggest that states are learning from one another and that the EPA's regional offices help facilitate this diffusion.