Taking sustainable energy seriously: A typological approach to sustainable energy governance in the U.S. states

Abstract

Given the overwhelming importance of energy governance in the transition toward energy sustainable economy in the U.S., empirical studies that aim at understanding the governance mechanism of sustainable energy in the states are needed. This paper will fill the lacuna by examining how state governments manage sustainable energy in the following ways. First, I will first describe and categorize the administrative structure of the energy office in the states. Second, based on 42 policy instruments that the state governments, a state sustainable energy policy index is developed to evaluate the policy commitment of the state governments in energy sustainability. Last, a typology is developed to evaluate the sustainable energy governance in the states.