Household Energy Burdens in the United States

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 08. Energy Conversation

Abstract

Reducing aggregate energy consumption—and profligate energy use in particular—has remained an important concern across many affluent nations in recent history. When thinking of energy consumption in the U.S., researchers often frame the topic as a problem of excess, wherein Americans inefficiently consume too much energy, contributing to natural resource exhaustion and global climate change. While a focus on excessive or inefficient energy consumption remains a valid and important point of entry for research, it is important to understand how the relationship between energy consumption and quality of life may operate very differently for disparate populations. While researching problems of energy consumption, environmental sociologists should particularly pay attention to how consumption operates within marginalized communities, as well as how non-economic factors may affect a household’s ability to access affordable energy to meet basic needs. Ensuring access to affordable energy services constitutes a core principle of energy justice. This paper explores the emerging concept of energy justice using data on U.S. household energy use. This analysis identifies which populations are most vulnerable to energy poverty, most likely to receive energy assistance, and whether energy poverty correlates with subjective health assessments. This paper concludes with research questions regarding how energy poverty can be further explored.

Author

• Jeremiah Bohr, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign