Federal energy policies : a family impact statement
by Peggy Strong Anderson
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE
in Home Economics
Montana State University
© Copyright by Peggy Strong Anderson (1978)
Abstract:
The several intentions of this study were to investigate federal energy policies in terms of: (1) family
perception of the proposals, (2) family energy conservation practices, (3) and discrimination of selected
family demographic variables.
The sample encompasses the sum of 288 parents with dependent children. Questionnaires were
distributed throughout public schools in Livingston, Montana. The self-designed instrument evolved
from the energy package President Carter presented to Congress in September of 1977.
Results of the research indicate that various policies are more adaptable to the greater sample
population than others. Those policies recognized as important by the tested group were
weatherstripping practices, consumer representation in utility decisions, and a utility statement
schedule which reveals present and future rates. Participants definitely resist government advice about
individual conservation in the home, increased rates by State Regulated Utilities for pollution control,
and a tenfold tax increase on natural gas and oil in six years. STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO COPY
In presenting th is th e s is in p a r tia l f u lf illm e n t o f the
requirements fo r an advanced degree a t Montana State U n iv e rs ity , I
agree th a t the L ib ra ry s h a ll make i t fr e e ly a v a ila b le fo r in sp e ctio n .
I fu r th e r agree th a t permission fo r extensive copying o f th is th e sis
fo r s c h o la rly purposes may be granted by my major p rofesso r,
o r, in his absence, by the D ire c to r o f L ib ra rie s .
I t is understood
th a t any copying o r p u b lic a tio n o f th is th e s is fo r fin a n c ia l
gain s h a ll not be allowed w ith o u t my w ritte n permission.
Signature
A w
FEDERAL ENERGY POLICIES; A FAMILY IMPACT STATEMENT
by
PEGGY STRONG ANDERSON
A th e s is submitted in p a r tia l f u lf illm e n t
o f the requirements fo r the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
Home Economics
Approved:
Chairperson, Graduate Correnfttee
Head, Major Department
Graduate Dean
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman, Montana
J u ly , 1978
Ml • ,
i ii
Acknowledgements:
Through combined e ffo r ts o f fa m ily members themselves, the in ­
strument was d is tr ib u te d , completed, and returned to the schools.
To
the p a rtic ip a tin g school age c h ild re n and th e ir parents, my thanks fo r
d is tr ib u tin g and answering the q u e stio n n a ire .
To those community
members, teachers, p r in c ip a ls , and a d m in is tra to r, my thanks fo r approval
o f the in stru m e n t's content and d is tr ib u tio n .
To those on my committee:
Dr. Lin d, Dr. Davidson, Dr. H orsw ilI , I
am deeply a p p re cia tive o f the amiable donation o f th e ir tim e.
Dr. Lind,
as the advising chairman, k in d ly assisted in the paper's e d itin g pro­
cess.
Dr. Davison encouraged a plan fo r the lit e r a t u r e review.
At the
o u ts e t, Dr. H o rsw ill in s p ire d the fin a liz a tio n o f the in v e s tig a tio n .
My parents are those c o n trib u tin g persons fo r which I am most
a p p re c ia tiv e .
They zealously gave o f themselves, through genial words
and fin a n c ia l subsistence.
This ra re s o rt o f generosity was a deep
expression o f love.
My husband has also w illin g ly given o f him se lf in allow ing the
fin a l analysis o f the th e sis to p ic .
Most o f a l l , I want to acknowledge the person o f Jesus C h ris t fo r
the in s p ira tio n given in th is manuscript.
His love re c a lls the fa c t
th a t in tro u b le d tim e s, there are c e rta in ways in d iv id u a l concern can
be disclosed fo r a ll o f mankind.
Table o f Contents
Page
L is t o f T a b le s ...............................................................................
L is t o f Figures
v iii
. . .................................................................................. x i
A b s t r a c t ..............................................................................................
x ii
Chapter
1
2
In tro d u c tio n
Theory and Supportive Research . ............................
P u r p o s e ............................................
O bjectives to be Analyzed .................................
L im ita tio n s & D e lim ita tio n s .............................
D e fin itio n o f Terms ............................................
Selected Review o f L ite ra tu re
Explanation o f the P o licy ................................
Need fo r Energy P o licy ........................................
H is to ry o f Energy P o lic y
............................ .
H is to ry o f Energy P o lic y in Government . . .
Present Family Conservation P ractices
o f Energy.......................................
Family P a rtic ip a tio n in Community
C o n s e r v a tio n .......................
Peak Hour E l e c t r i c i t y ................
29
Present Conservation P ractices o f
Fam ilies Regarding P o llu tio n C o n tro l.
T ransp orta tion and Family Conservation
P r a c tic e s ....................................
34
Tax on O il and Natural Gas and Present
Family Conservation P ractices
. . . .
P o lic y Perception In Terms o f C ertain Demo­
graphic V ariables . . .....................................
Sex Type and P o lic y Perception
. . . .
Future Energy Conservation P ractices Needed
by F a m i l i e s .......................................
44
P ro te ctin g the Home From Outside Cold .
D ra ft-p ro o f Windows and Doors .....................
Heating and C o o lin g ......................
46
Heating Energy S a v e rs ................ ... . . .
Hot Water Energy S a v e rs ................• • •
I
4
5
6
6
8
11
13
15
18
27
31
36
41
44
44
45
46
49
V
Table o f C on ten ts.(C o n tinu e d )
Page
- Kitchen Energy Savers ................................
Dishwashing Energy S a v e rs ................... ..
R e frig e ra to r/F re e z e r Energy Savers . .
Laundry Energy Savers ............................ .
L ig h tin g Energy S a v e r s ....................■. .
Appliance Energy Savers ............................
B u ild in g o r Buying a Home..............
On the Road Energy S a v d rs ..............
M aintaining your C a r ......................
Buying a Car..........................................
Taking Vacations ........................................
In the M a r k e tp la c e ....................................
A ttitu d e Studies and Energy Conservation . .
3
4
Methodology ...............................................................
S am ple..............................................................
D e fin itio n o f Sample ................................
D e scrip tio n o f Sample A r e a ..........
I n s t r u m e n t ..........................................
Method o f Data C o lle c tio n ........................
A nalysis o f D a t a ....................................... ..
Results and Discussion ...........................................
A nalysis o f O bjectives and Discussion o f
Results ...............................
Various Responses to Questions Based on 1977
Energy Proposals . . . . .
............................
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy In v o lv in g
Conservation Advise from a Federal
O f f i c i a l ...................
How Fam ilies Perceive the Importance o f
Home Energy Saving Devices....................
How Fam ilies Perceive Consumer Represen­
ta tio n as an Advisor to the Federal
Power Commission and Family Support
o f th is Representative through Com­
munity Conservation P ractices . . . .
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy In v o lv in g
Peak Hour E le c tric a l Costs and Con­
se rvation ...................
50
51
52
53
53
54
55
57
57
58
59
59
51
58
70
70
76
79
80
80
82
82
82
.82
83
87
.
90
vi
Table o f Contents (C ontinued)
Page
How Fam ilies Perceive Increased U t i l i t y
Rates Set by State Regulated U t i l i t i e s
fo r P o llu tio n Control . . ....................
How Fam ilies Perceive a Published
Rate Schedule o f Present and
Future Rates and Family Conserva­
tio n E ffo r ts in Support o f the
P o lic y .......................................................
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy
A llow ing Tax C redits f o r Solar
Devices and Family Conserva­
tio n E ffo rts in Support o f the
P o lic y .......................................................
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy
Supporting the Gas Guzzlers
Automobile Tax and Family Con­
se rvation P ractices which Uphold
the P o l i c y ...............................................
Family Perception o f a P o licy to Tax
Natural Gas and O il w ith a Ten
Fold Increase in Six Years and
Family Conservation P ractices to
Support the P o l i c y ................................
A nalysis o f the DemographicV ariables
A g e ...............................................................
S e x ................................................... ...
E d u c a t io n ...................................................
Income ............................................................
5
Summary, Conclusions ...........................................
Summary...................................................................
C o n c lu s io n s ...........................................................
Federal Energy Proposals o f 1977;
Family Impact Statements ....................
Impact o f Federal In te rv e n tio n
in the Home Compared to Family
Chosen EnergyE ffo rts . . . . .
Impact o f Consumer Representation
as an Advisor to the Federal
Power Commission on Family
L i f e ....................................... ...
99
101
104
104
106
107
HO
112
112
114
114
ns
vi i
Table o f Contents (C ontinued)
. Page
Impact o f Peak Hour E le c tric a l .
Rates on Family L i f e ................
Impact o f Increased U t i l i t y Rates
In Order to Control P o llu tio n on
Family L i f e ....................................
Impact o f Published Rate Schedule
o f Present and Future U t i l i t y
Rates on Family L i f e ................
Impact o f Tax C redits fo r Solar
Devices on Family L ife . . . .
Impact o f the Gas Guzzler P o licy
on Family L i f e ............................
Impact o f Natural Gas & O il Tax
Increasing Ten Fold in Six Years
on Family L i f e ............................
Suggestions f o r Future Study ................
E p ilo g u e .......................................................
121
122
122
123
125
128
131
132
6
B ibliograph y selected ........................................
133
7
A p p e n d ix ...............................................................
139
v iii
L is t o f Tables
Table
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Page
Trend in Estimated Use o f Natural Gas by Appliances
Trend in Use o f E le c t r ic it y by Major Appliances
Selected Years 1950-1961.
Annual Energy Requirements o f Small E le c tric House­
hold Appliances in 1973.
Family A ttitu d e .o f a P o licy Promoting O ffic ia l
Energy Advice in the Home.
W eatherstripping Doors and Windows; Family Perception
An Im portant Energy Saving Device.
C e ilin g , A t t ic , F lo or In s u la tio n ; Family Perception
As An Im portant Energy Device.
Hot Water Heater In s u la tio n ; Family Perception As
An Im portant Energy Device.
Storm Windows; Family Perception as an Important
Energy Device.
Replacement Burners; Family Perception As An
Im portant Energy Device.
Devices to Modify Flue Openings; Family Percention As
Im portant Home Energy-Saving Devices.
E le c tric a l o r Mechanical Ig n itio n Systems; Fam ily, Per­
ception as Im portant Home Energy-Saving Devices.
Family Evaluation o f In s ta lla tio n o f Energy-Saving
Devices in t h e ir Homes.
Family A ttitu d e o f Consumer Representation to the
Federal Power Commission.
Coal o r S olar Workshops; Family Support Given to a
Community Member on the Advisory C ou ncil.
C ity L ig h ts Shut O ff; Family Support Given to a
Community Member on the Advisory C ou ncil.
Family Involvement in Community Energy Conservation
E ffo r ts .
Family A ttitu d e o f a P o licy Supporting Peak Hour
E le c tric a l Costs.
E a rlie r o r Later Work Schedules; Family Support o f
Peak Hour E le c tric a l Rates.
Afternoon Meal P reparation; Family Support o f Peak .
Hour Rates.
S p e c ific Use o f T .v. Hours; Family Support o f Peak Hour
Rates.
Family A lte ra tio n o f Work Schedule to Use Energy a t Low
Rate E le c tric a l Hours.
37
38
39
83
84
85
85
85
86
86
86
87
88
89
89
89
91
, 91
92
92
92
ix
L is t o f Tables (C ontinued)
Table
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Page
Family A ttitu d e o f Increased U t i l i t y Rates fo r
P o llu tio n C o n tro l.
Fam ilies Who Would Comply to the P o llu tio n Con­
t r o l P o lic y .
Fam ilies Who W ill Pay Higher Costs fo r P o llu tio n
C o n tro l.
Family A ttitu d e o f a Published Rate Schedule
S ta tin g Present and Future U t i l i t y Rates.
Planning Ahead fo r Ways to Use Less Energy to
Compensate f o r the A d d itio n a l Costs; A Family
E ffo r t to U t iliz e a Rate Increase Index.
In s tru c tin g Younger Family Members in Conserva­
tio n P ra ctice s; A Family E ffo r t to U t iliz e a
Rate Increase Index.
Fam ilies Who W ill Reduce Energy Consumption.
Family A ttitu d e o f Tax C redits fo r S olar Devices.
Purchasing a S olar Water Heating U n it; Family
Support o f the Tax C re d it P o lic y .
Community Research to Develop S olar and Wind
Energy; Family Support o f the Tax C re d it
P o lic y .
In v e s tig a tin g S olar Homes and Education E ffo rts
To Advance These Ideas; Family Support o f the
Tax C re d it P o lic y .
Fam ilies Who W ill Use S olar and Wind Energy.
Family A ttitu d e o f a Tax on Autos Based on Gas
Guzzler Tables.
Fam ilies Who W ill Buy an Economy Car.
Family A ttitu d e o f a P o lic y to Increase Tax on
O il and Natural Gas Tenfold in S ix Years.
L iv in g Closer to Jobs, Schools, Downtown Area;
Family Support o f the Natural Gas and O il
Tax.
P a rtic ip a tin g in Community Vacation Bus T rip s ;
Family Support o f the Natural Gas and O il
Tax.
Supporting Community E ffo rts to Walk, B ic y c le ,
Use Hand Work; Family Support o f the Natural
Gas and O il Tax.
Family Use o f Man Power fo r Home Tasks.
v
93
94
94
95
96
96
96
98
98
98
99
99
100
100
102
102
103
103
103
X
L is t o f Tables (Continued)
Table
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Page
Age as a Factor in Evaluating Energy Advice
From Government.
Age as a Factor in Evaluating Consumer Repre­
se n tatio n to the Federal Power Commission.
Sex as a Factor in Evaluating Energy Advice from
Government Sources.
Education as a Factor in Evaluating Increased
Federal Rates in Order to Control P o llu tio n .
Education as a Factor in Evaluating a Statement
o f Present and Future U t i l i t y Rates.
Education as a Factor fo r Evaluating Natural Gas
and O il Tax Increases Tenfold in Six Years.
Income as a Factor fo r Evaluating Auto Tax on
Gas Guzzler Cars.
Demographic V ariables and Related Data.
Content o f P o licy and Related Data.
Absolute and R e la tive Frequencies f o r the
Questions.
S ta tis tic a l A nalysis o f the Questions.
105
106
107
108
109
HO
Ill
139
, 141
143
144
xi
L is t o f Figures
Figure
Page
1.
2.
71
72
3.
4.
5.
Household Heads Who Responded to the Questionnaire
Number o f Dependent C hildren P resently L iv in g
With the Respondent.
Age o f the Household-Head Responding to the
Q uestionnaire.
Income Level o f the Respondent.
Completed Years o f Education.
73
74
75
x ii
A bstra ct
The several in te n tio n s o f th is study were to in v e s tig a te federal energy
p o lic ie s in terms o f:
( I ) fa m ily perception o f the proposals, ( 2)
fa m ily energy conservation p ra c tic e s , (3) and d is c rim in a tio n o f selected
fa m ily demographic v a ria b le s .
The sample encompasses the sum o f 288 parents w ith dependent c h ild re n .
Questionnaires were d is trib u te d throughout p u b lic schools in L iv in g s to n ,
Montana.
The self-desig ned instrum ent evolved from the energy package
President C arter presented to Congress in September o f 1977.
Results o f the research in d ic a te th a t various p o lic ie s are more adoptable to the g reate r sample population than oth ers.
Those p o lic ie s
recognized as im portant by the tested group were w eatherstripp ing
p ra c tic e s , consumer re pre senta tion in u t i l i t y d e cisio n s, and a u t i l i t y
statement schedule which reveals present and fu tu re ra te s .
P a rtic ip a n ts
d e f in it e ly r e s is t government advice about in d iv id u a l conservation in the
home, increased rates by State Regulated U t i l i t i e s f o r p o llu tio n co n tro l
and a te n fo ld tax increase on natura l gas and o il in s ix years.
Chapter I
In tro d u c tio n
At some p o in t in time most s o c ie tie s must recognize a worldwide
shortage o f petroleum and fo s s il fu e ls .
Our nationa l s t a t is t ic s in d i­
cate recoverable o i l to be 40 b i l l i o n b a rre ls and recoverable gas to be
250 t r i l l i o n
cubic fe e t (TCF) w ith known recovery techniques.
These
fa c ts prove th a t the United States o il supply w ill la s t seven years and
gas eleven years i f American energy consumption continues a t the present
ra te (The Energy Index, 1976, p. 45).
President C arter emphasized the
urgency o f these fa c ts in his recent n a tio n a l energy p o lic y act (H.R.
8444, 1977).
Goals o f the le g is la tio n in clu d e :
a 2% reduction o f
energy growth, a 10% reductio n o f gas usage, 400 m illio n tons o f coal to
be produced fo r fu tu re use, and s o la r energy to be placed in 2.5 m illio n
homes.
The fa m ily , sta te s H i l l , is "the bottlen eck through which a ll
tro u b le passes" (Sussman, 1968, p. 441).
Because o f t h is , these energy
fa c ts w ill have impact on fa m ily l i f e .
Theory and Supportive Research
The United States imported 30% o f i t s petroleum in 1973.
p ro je c te d , th is may increase to 60% between 1980 and 1985.
As
Including
the expense o f tra n s p o rta tio n and p rodu ction, fo re ig n fu e l cost is y e t
less than d o m e stica lly produced f u e l.
In order to s ta b iliz e prices and
la t e r increase them, the O rganization o f Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) have organized themselves as a monopoly power.
Today these
2
co u ntrie s have p o te n tia l to d ic ta te the p ric e they d e s ire .
This subjects
the United States to in te rru p tio n o f fo re ig n fo s s il fu e l imports (Mancke9
1974, pp. 17-18).
Because these u n c e rta in tie s e x is t, energy p o lic y
gu id e lin e s must be c a r e fu lly designed (Hinge and Oaks, 1976).
According
to H i l l , in order to fu n c tio n , fa m ilie s need to see how th is is re le va n t
to themselves (Sussman, 1968, p. 440).
A ca re fu l a n alysis by fa m ilie s
w i l l reveal the impact o f p o lic ie s on fa m ily s tru c tu re .
Our economy has been b u i lt upon the premise th a t low energy price s
create more o p p o rtu n ity fo r economic and socia l growth.
As a r e s u lt,
our so c ie ty has become conditioned to inexpensive comforts (O'Toole,
1976).
They are w illin g to pay the cost fo r lu x u rie s .
walk several m iles when they could ride?
homes w ith a temperature o f 60° F?
Who wants to
Who wants to s i t sh ive rin g in
Who wants to stop using a c o lo r TV,
dishwasher, a ir- c o n d itio n e r, o r oth er lu xu rie s?
United States c itiz e n s
have not faced the fa c t th a t use o f convenient, energy-consuming devices
places a heavy demand on resources and our resources are not i n f i n it e
(C hristianson and C la rk, 1976).
Conservation e ffo r ts are re q u ire d , many
o f which must be p ra ctice d in fa m ily homes through the decision o f
fa m ily members to reduce th e ir consumption o f energy and m a te ria ls .
J e rry Toner and John McBride reviewed p o lic ie s in Montana re la tin g
to energy consumption fo r the purpose o f d e fin in g conservation g u ideline s
w ith in the s ta te .
Other socia l studies in Montana includ e the appoint­
ment by Governor Thomas Judge o f a C itiz e n 's Advisory Committee fo r the
3
purpose o f making energy decisions about coal g a s ific a tio n and gas
shortages w ith in the s ta te and a design fo r car pools in B illin g s , Great
F a lls , and Helena, Montana.
Dr. David Ambros o f the U n iv e rs ity o f
Nebraska analyzed consumer perception o f e le c t r ic it y ra te schedules in
Nebraska.
He found th a t when consumers are given recessional bloc
energy ra te s , the opposite o f d e c lin in g bloc rates which become lower in
p ric e w ith gre a te r amounts o f energy used, the consumers w i l l not
n e ce ssa rily change the amount o f e l e c t r ic it y they use (Energy Research
In fo rm a tio n , 1977).
In Montana, no study has in v e s tig a te d the fa m ily as
a u n it and Federal p o lic ie s as the basis o f impact.
Hence, in compliance
w ith Governor Judge's request fo r new u n iv e rs ity energy research, th is
study was developed.
4
Purpose
In the framework o f th is present h is to r ic a l era, th is research
p ro je c t has in v e s tig a te d the impact o f energy p o lic ie s on fa m ily behav­
io r .
Selected p o lic ie s include the fo llo w in g taken from Governor Tom
Judge's News Conference Message o f the Summer o f 1976:
1.
Energy must be conserved.
2.
Energy plans need to consider the fu tu re .
3.
U n iv e rs ity systems need to incorporate energy
research in to th e ir programs.
P resident C a rte r's September 7, 1977 energy p o lic y package makes
these s ta te goals more s p e c ific .
From these federal p o lic ie s the
in v e s tig a to r designed a q u estion naire.
From various s t a t is t ic a l analy­
ses, the in v e s tig a to r has form ulated several statements o f p o lic y impact
on fa m ily l i f e .
The statements o f impact assume the p o lic ie s w ill be
anacted a t a la te r date.
These impact statements were based on the
fo llo w in g :
1.
By January I » 1980, re sid en ts must be informed o f
energy saving devices and in s tru c te d in energy saving
a c t iv it ie s w ith in th e ir households.
2.
An advisory committee s h a ll be established fo r
co n su ltin g the Federal Power Commission.
The fo llo w in g
number represent the various g roup s:. three u t i l i t i e s ,
5
fiv e s ta te re g u la to ry a u th o ritie s , three consumers (in d u s tr ia l
and r e s id e n tia l) , and one c o n s e rv a tio n is t.
3.
E le c t r ic it y rates w i l l be established according to the
tim e -o f-d a y so th a t costs o f service r e f le c t the determined
ra te .
Any consumer who desires cost e ffe c tiv e n e s s , can acquire
metering i f he is w illin g to pay fo r i t .
4.
Costs which are the r e s u lt o f p o llu tio n c o n tro l can be
recovered by each State Regulated U t i l i t y through increased
cost to the consumers.
5.
Each Regulated State U t i l i t y w i l l , a fte r 90 days when the
t i t l e w ill take e ffe c t, publish a simple statement o f the
present and proposed ra te schedule to the consumer.
6.
For s o la r and wind expenditures, 30% c r e d it is given i f
q u a lifie d expenditures are not gre a te r than $1,500 and 20%
c r e d it i f expenditures exceed $1,500 but not $10,000.
7.
A tax is imposed on natura l gas and o il w ith the p ric e o f
o il ranging from $.30 (per b a rre l) in 1979 to $3.00 (per
b a rre l) in 1985 w ith n a tura l gas increases o f lik e p ro p o rtio n .
For each o f the above selected p o lic ie s , a statement o f impact was
developed making use o f the fo llo w in g o b je c tiv e s :
I.
TO IDENTIFY THE'rESPONDENT'S PERCEPTION OF FAMILY BEHAVIOR
IN RESPONSE TO THE FORMULATION OF THIS PARTICULAR POLICY.
6
II.
TO ANALYZE THE FAMILY'S INTEGRATION OF CONSERVATION
PRACTICES WITHIN THE HOME AS REQUIRED BY THIS PARTICULAR
POLICY.
III.
TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL ENERGY POLICIES
ON THE RESPONDENT IN TERMS OF AGE, SEX, COMPLETED EDUCATION,
NUMBER OF CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME, AND INCOME.
L im ita tio n s and D e lim ita tio n s
Questions chosen in. respect to s p e c ific p o lic ie s are d e lim ite d in
number.
These questions include on ly a minute sector o f an i n f i n it e set
o f questions.
S im ila rly d e lim ite d are statements o f impact and the
given natural resource a v a ila b ilit y o f the region.
Several lim itin g fa c to rs r e s t r ic t the study.
The study i t s e l f is
confined to a school d i s t r i c t area, a given population size o f parents
w ith dependent c h ild re n , and to the context o f a s p e c ific tim e .
Famil­
ies must assume a h yp oth etical conception o f enacted p o lic ie s which are
not y e t in e ffe c t.
F in a lly , past lit e r a t u r e f a i l s to include impact
studies o f fed era l p o lic ie s on fa m ily l i f e , placing lim it s on the review
o f lit e r a t u r e .
D e fin itio n o f Terms
I.
s u r v iv a l.
a u th o rity - determines c o n tro l o f power to p ro te c t or insure
7
2.
conservation - a ctin g to conserve or keep from d e s tru c tio n or
decay; to be responsible fo r a c tin g ; to modify o r re s tra in the environ­
ment.
3.
consumer - any person who buys goods or services f o r his own
purposes, not re sa le .
4.
c r is is - an h is to r ic a l tu rn in g p o in t when a decision must be
made fo r b e tte r or worse.
5.
energy - the capacity fo r a v a ila b le power.
6.
fa m ily - a closed o r semi-closed system composed o f kin sh ip
tie s which c a rrie s out re le v a n t fu n c tio n s .
7.
fa m ily home - any b u ild in g th a t is used fo r re s id e n tia l
occupancy.
8.
ra te - ra te re fe rs to the demanded p ric e when e le c t r ic it y or
n a tu ra l gas is sold.
9.
regulated u t i l i t y - a p u b lic u t i l i t y which has i t s rates set
by a State Regulatory A u th o rity .
10.
reserves - deposits o f fu e ls which can be id e n tifie d and
recovered w ith reasonable costs.
8
Chapter 2
Explanation o f the P o lic y
L im ita tio n s o f the energy supply may make Americans more conscious
o f th e ir d u tie s as c itiz e n s to the government or o f th e ir p a tr io tic
a lle g ia n ce to the United S tates.
The concluding phrase o f the American
Pledge o f A lle gian ce is , "one n a tio n , under God, in d iv is ib le , w ith
lib e r t y and ju s tic e and freedom fo r a l l " acquires an austere meaning to
c itiz e n s as a r it u a l o n ly , not a pledge by which to liv e .
The p ra c tic e
o f duty to one's own government fo r freedom, ju s tic e , and e q u a lity
separates Americans as a united people from other n a tions.
Yet, the
lim ite d supplies o f n a tiona l resources w i l l give the American people a
new perception o f freedom in the very near fu tu re .
T ilto n describes
freedom o f the past as "a human need to capture energy a t low costs"
(1974, p. 86).
Freedom to a ll was defined as the equal a b i li t y to
ob tain lu x u ry and com fort through m a teria l means from an abundant energy
supply.
Evidence o f encouraged so cia l use o f energy was the fa c t th a t
those fa m ilie s w ith highest incomes consumed the most energy by using
planes, ta x is , and owning many cars e tc . (Newman, 1975).
The American
people as a to ta l energy consumptive u n it use 1/3 o f to ta l world expen­
d itu re s fo r energy a n n u a lly, although America comprises only 6% o f the
to t a l w orld population (Newman, 1975, p. 6).
In the p a st, national
p o lic y o r lack o f p o lic y prompted energy use, fo r in e a rly American
9
h is to ry energy consumption d is t in c t ly divid e d the poor from the ric h .
Those considered ric h e s t owned la b or-sa ving devices:
iro n s , r e f r ig ­
e ra to rs , m ixers, sewing machines, to a s te rs , h a ir dryers e tc . before
t h e ir "le ss ric h " neighbors owned them.
In the fu tu re , the external c o n d itio n o f lim ite d supplies w ill be
imposed on a ll so cia l classes.
J u s tic e w i l l be seen as e ith e r reward or
punishment to p a rtic ip a n ts in the energy c r is is as they e ith e r waste or
conserve energy.
Equal o p p o rtu n ity w i l l be given to a ll social classes
to reorganize t h e ir fa m ily s tru c tu re according to these external condi­
tio n s .
Freedom w ill be granted to those p a rtic ip a n ts who conserve
because there w i l l be no need fo r the c o n s tra in ts o f an energy p o lic y .
Higher costs o f energy w i l l then encourage conservation, thus fre e in g
more energy to more people fo r more tim e.
The s e v e rity o f resource s c a rc ity w i l l in d ic a te types o f reorgan­
iz a tio n so cia l classes w i l l need to take w ith in th e ir s tru c tu re .
poor have always been e x te rn a lly lim ite d by income.
The
T h e ir a c t iv it ie s ,
which are learned through tr a d it io n , have become patterned ways to
conserve energy.
For example, instead o f owning cars, the poor have had
to use the energy conserving p ra ctice s o f walking or using p u b lic
tra n s p o rta tio n .
W it the on set o f lim ite d energy resources, the govern­
ment w i l l ju s t ly help the poor through various programs o f subsidy.
Government aid w i l l equalize ju s tic e and perm it freedom o f o p p o rtu n ity
10
fo r energy use by the poor.
The middle class are less re s tric te d by the
e xte rn a l c o n d itio n o f income than the poor classes.
Middle class
a c t iv it ie s w i l l n e ce ssa rily be re s tru c tu re d to conserve energy through
group e f f o r t .
For example, the middle class may organize car pools fo r
work and m arketing.
By organizing car pools, using p u b lic tra n s p o rta ­
tio n , and liv in g in m u lti- fa m ily housing u n its , energy is conserved,
in d iv id u a l costs fo r energy are lowered, and the e n tire group b e n e fits .
Another way o f e q u a lizin g freedom and ju s tic e is the p ra c tic e o f group
com petition f o r s o la r-h e a tin g u n its as the middle class is given tax
b e n e fits by the government.
Most o f the upper class have not been
accustomed to external c o n s tra in ts .
increase, energy w i l l cost more.
Yet, as lim ita tio n s on energy use
The ric h w i l l pay lu x u ry taxes on
lu xu ry items such as boats, planes, and heavy cars.
These tax r e s t r ic ­
tio n s may cause the upper class to m aintain goods they now own instead
o f purchasing newer models.
tr a v e l.
The upper class may be more re s tric te d in
With less gas, there w i l l be less a v a ila b le means o f tra v e l.
Yet, as gas lim ita tio n increases, the upper class may re d ire c t th e ir
a tte n tio n to home and community needs fo r energy-saving p ra c tic e s .
Hence, in tim e , the three terms; e q u a lity , freedom, and ju s tic e may
acquire new meaning.
E q u a lity may mean th a t a ll socio-economic classes
w i l l be e x te rn a lly lim ite d .
Although these lim ita tio n s may cause fe a r
and d is o rg a n iz a tio n , as class groups re s tru c tu re a c t iv it ie s fo r the
purpose o f conserving resources, each class w i l l gain some awareness o f
n
problems c o n fro n tin g oth er groups.
A ll three groups may receive tax
b e n e fits fo r c o n stru ctin g a lte rn a tiv e heating systems ra th e r than gas or
e le c t r ic it y .
A ll socio-economic classes, as the r e s u lt o f higher cost
energy resources, may create enough p u b lic concern fo r ways the com­
munity could conserve th a t e ve n tu a lly more energy w i l l be freed fo r a l l ,
thus a llo w in g " lib e r t y and ju s tic e f o r a l l " .
Need fo r Energy Polic y
Exchange is basic to a ll s o c ie tie s and to some degree a ll in te r ­
personal co n tracts lead to exchange.
In a d d itio n , exchange has always
been transacted between people and w ith in s o c ie tie s fo r d iffe r e n t
reasons.
For example, exchange in p r im itiv e s o c ie tie s was u su ally
transacted in order to receive the h ig h ly regarded so cia l values o f
honor, honesty, bravery, compassion, and g e nerosity.
In advanced
s o c ie tie s lik e the United S tate s, however, exchange has u s u a lly been
transacted in order to obtain p r o fits instead o f some oth er less prac­
t ic a l so cia l value (S trauss, 1974, p. 3).
In the 1960's our n a tiona l leaders in the United S tates, represent­
ing the American people, believed in the supreme value o f p r o f it because
the energy supply was abundant.
In the 1970's those n a tio n a l leaders,
representing the c itiz e n s , have had to a lt e r th e ir philosophy to r e f le c t
the lim ite d supply o f useable energy w ith in the U.S. boundaries ( M ille r ,
1976).
For instance, o il purchased from the Mediterranean Countries
12
does not produce p r o f it .
Therefore, a t meetings between leaders o f
those co u ntrie s the values o f honesty and conservation mean more than
p r o f it .
J u s tic e , in t e g r it y , and concern fo r s c a rc ity o f raw energy
resources leads to a w illin g n e s s to exchange goods and services a t the
expense o f the p r o f i t m otive.
Indeed, the recent trend toward lim ite d .
supplies o f energy has forced a value change from p ro fit-s e e k in g to the
more humane values o f sharing and conserving natural resources.
Because exchange is basic in a ll inte rpe rson al re la tio n s h ip s , the
in s t it u t io n o f the home is where exchange is f i r s t encountered.
In
tim e , extensive fa m ily in te ra c tio n w i l l focus the meaning o f exchange
from the fa m ily as a m icroscopic so cia l u n it to s o c ie ty as a whole.
Reasons fo r exchange p ra ctice s w ith in the fa m ily s tru c tu re tra n s fe r to
s o c ie ty .
I f exchange does not lead to p r o f i t w ith in the fa m ily s tru c ­
tu re , then exchange w i l l lead to the development o f o th e r socia l values.
With the onset o f lim ite d energy s u p p lie s , the value gained from exchange
w i l l be determined by a u th o rity fig u re s in the fa m ily .
the ro le o f decision makers are the fa m ily leaders.
Those who have
These leaders can
exchange th e ir past id e n tity as energy-abusers, which has created c r is is
c o n d itio n s , to an id e n tity as conservers o f energy and supporters o f
conservation p o lic ie s .
According to Lezzle, H eilbronner, Falk, and
F e rk iss, th is exchange can remove the need fo r c r is is reactions o f
fa m ily members (R itz and T r it e s , 1977).
By conserving, fa m ily members
13
receive in exchange fo r the p ra c tic e o f conservation, a s o cia l value.
E ffo r t is honored by oth er fa m ily members.
As fa m ilie s work together
fo r socia l values, those fa m ily u n its w i l l shape the needs o f the
fu tu re .
H is to ry o f Energy P o licy
A r is to tle describes h is to ry as the order o f fa c ts unique to a
p a r tic u la r era.
W ithout a plan o r law to remind people o f wrong a c tiv ­
i t y , h is to r ic a l order assumes i t s own d ire c tio n .
In the American past,
h is to r ic a l order creates economic o p p o rtu n itie s through low cost energy.
Thus low cost energy un co n tro lle d by law became the h is to r ic a l d e scrip ­
tio n o f o rder.
low costs.
The American people see no wrong in wasting energy at
H is to ry in America r e fle c ts th is waste through the fo llo w in g
fa c ts .
In 1900 America, kerosene and c a n d le lig h t provided reading
l ig h t .
Many Americans s p l i t wood fo r w in te r storage.
were cooled in underground c e lla r s .
ren walked to school.
Housewives cooked by f i r e .
C h ild ­
Motorbuses and tr o lle y s appeared in c o lo n ia l
America by the 1920s-1930s.
fo r e le c t r ic it y .
Perishable goods
By 1925, 53% o f American homes were wired
Natural gas came in to American homes in the 1930s.
While only 181,000 owned cars in 1910, th is amount rose to two m illio n
by 1920. . Now 4/5 o f a ll homeowners own automobiles.
In 1910, 10% o f
the population owned ra d io s , w hile by 1925, 46% o f a ll Americans owned
ra d io s .
Radio a d v e rtis e rs in 1922 encouraged Americans to buy e le c tr ic a l
14
appliances.
At th a t tim e , 8% owned clothes washers; 80% do today
(Newman and Day, 1975).
were energy poor.
During American c o lo n ia l h is to ry most homes
W ithin s ix ty years, cheap, a v a ila b le energy cut time
and e f f o r t cost o f rigorous tasks.
However, as Karl Marx suggests, the
growth o f an economy is more p re d ic ta b le than p o lit ic a l events.
The
Arab o il embargo o f 1973 was an event which o ffs e t the growth o f the
economy.
S im ila rly , o rg a n iza tio n o f monopoly power o f the O rganization
o f Petroleum Countries (OPEC) was an unpredicted event.
Yet, because
government did not co n tro l fo s s il fu e l resources, energy a t low cost was
y e t supplied.
Tuve suggests th a t "when resources are p le n t if u l, scarce­
ness seems remote to the in d iv id u a l or n a tion" (1976, p. 134).
As a
r e s u lt, our s o cie ty did not foresee a need fo r energy p o lic y design.
W ithout p o lic y c o n tro l, Americans became accustomed to energy a t low
costs as a s ty le o f l i f e .
As Darmstadter s ta te s , "P o lic y can a lte r
p u b lic decisions about energy, y e t advice alone w i l l not a lte r a s ty le
o f liv in g " (1975, p. 9 ).
W ithout law and enforcement or b e nefits
o ffe re d from the law, energy w ill not be ,c o n tro lle d .
On the other hand,
Kornhauser suggests th a t "to dislodge in a c t iv it y o f p o lic y planning o f
the past, p o lic y makers may become predisposed to act more and more
extremely in tim e" (1959).
As law is imposed and energy p rice s r is e ,
people become aware o f w asteful energy use and energy's value to a s ty le
of life .
15
H is to ry o f Energy P o licy in Government
Energy has become a n a tio n a lly recognized problem in the United
S tates.
.
President C arter in 1977 established a new cabinet p o s itio n fo r
energy and th is o ffic e is evidence o f n a tiona l a tte n tio n given to
d e p le tin g resources.
Before the c re a tio n o f th is O ffic e , energy o ffic e s
and programs were described as "gaius p e tron ius" o r massive movement
w ith unclear d ire c tio n .
For example, the Federal Energy A d m in istratio n
(FEA) by 1976 had 3,200 employees (Ku!t e r , R. & Vogsly, W., 1976).
O rig in a lly th is o rg a n iza tio n was a Special Committee o f Energy composed
o f three members:
John Erlichman, Henry K issin g e r, and George S chultz.
R ecently, the FEA completed a study c a lle d P ro je c t Independence by 1985
which "stu d ie d " energy independence by 1985, y e t o ffe re d no c le a r plan
o f a c tio n .
L a te r, however, some o ffic e s were delegated c e rta in d ir e c t­
ional powers.
p ric e s .
The Federal Energy O ffic e was given c o n tro l over o il
A Committee on Energy was established to give info rm a tion to
the P resident.
The Federal Power Commission was given power to regulate
energy supply.
Domestic resources were c o n tro lle d by Energy Resource
and Development.
The O ffic e o f Conservation and Environment was given
power to study the e ffe c t o f government p o lic y 's impact on the environ­
ment (The Energy Fact Book, 1976).
F in a lly , in the span o f s ix years,
energy lim ita tio n s have forced the government to discover new methods o f
energy co n tro l which are fin a liz e d in the form ation o f a cabinet p o si­
tio n through p re s id e n tia l appointment.
16
Other h is to r ic a l development in government is the tra n s p o s itio n o f
p o lic y design from th a t which the government has propagated t r a d it io n ­
a lly .
According to Swanson, i t has been the conventional p ra c tic e o f
government bureaucracy to "use theory to explain r e a lit y " (1976, p. 54).
In. the past ten years, bureaucracy has employed imprecise and presump­
tiv e terms to suggest energy shortages.
United States c itiz e n s could
not be d e f in it e ly co n fid e n t in respect to the energy supply because o f
the vague terms used to describe the s itu a tio n .
This hypothetical
vagueness did not persuade Americans th a t the United States may face a .
fu tu re energy c r is is because d a ily liv e s o f c itiz e n s did not demand
adaptation.
Government theory did not a c tiv a te conservation p ra c tic e s .
However, recent fed era l p o lic ie s construe p ra c tic a l gu id e lin e s which
o ffe r in c e n tiv e .to c itiz e n s so they can s p e c ific a lly a lt e r th e ir l i f e
s ty le .
For example, by in s ta llin g an e le c tr ic a l ig n itio n system in
th e ir fu rn a ce s, fa m ilie s act in a c le a r-c u t d ire c tio n toward energy
conservation.
Another v a ria tio n in p o lic y device from customary p ra c t­
ices o f government is the p ro je c tio n o f supply impact on the fu tu re o f
the United S tates.
Fisk s ta te s , "P o lic y is poorly conceived given only
the circumstances a t hand" (1974, p. 115).
In the past ten years, the
government did not endeavor to re g u la te energy supply.
As a re s u lt o f
the 1973 Mid East c o n f lic t , the United States reacted to the s p e c ific
event by e s ta b lis h in g a 55 m ile per hour (MPH) speed l i m i t .
However, no
p a r tic u la r le g is la tio n took account o f the fu tu re energy needs o f
17
Americans so th a t s c ie n tis ts , in d u s t r ia lis t s , and c itiz e n s o b je c tiv e ly
s ta tio n themselves in the very p o s itio n o f fu tu re generations.
A con­
firm ed number o f s o la r homes, 2.5 m illio n , by the determ inate year,
1980, p ro je c ts goals which are operational fo r researchers.. Another
d iv e rs io n from customary government ro u tin e is the.exodus from c e n tra liz
ed decision making to d e centralized decision making.
Formerly, energy
le g is la tio n was a c e n tra liz e d a d ju d ic a tio n judged by Congress.
As
p re vio u sly mentioned. Congress, a ctin g as a c e n tra liz e d m a g is te ria l
body, fix e d the speed l i m i t a t 55 MPH.
th is ce n tra l r u lin g .
A ll Americans must comply w ith
Recent fed era l p o lic ie s propound several options
fo r fa m ily conservation d is c re tio n .
Because fa m ily groups are sm all,
the determ inations w i l l presumably be more workable fo r th a t group.
Hence, decisions become d e ce n tra liz e d , not c e n tra liz e d .
o f re s o lu tio n supports Manke's statement:
This technique
"Even though energy con­
d itio n s are caused e x te rn a lly , fa m ily decisions about energy must be
made p r iv a te ly among fa m ily members" (1974, p. 40).
F in a lly , one
concluding v is ib le tr a n s itio n from government conventions is the tra n s ­
form ation from standards to a tax c r e d it system as m o tiva tio n to d iv e r­
s if y .
According to Manke, standards are u n yielding and a c tu a lly s u f­
focate in c e n tiv e to a lte rn a te home features fo r energy preservation.
Nevertheless, newborn federal p o lic ie s in s p ire in c e n tiv e to change from
gas and e le c tr ic heating-systems to s o la r-h e a tin g systems.
Reward is
adduced fo r conversion and not punishment, i f there are not tra n s p o s i­
18
tio n s .
In summary, recent fed era l p o lic ie s fu rn is h an a c tiv e base from
which fa m ilie s make s ig n ific a n t d is c rim in a tio n s fo r themselves and fo r
t h e ir p o s te rity .
Present Family Conservation P ractices o f Energy
L ite ra tu re lacks comprehensive studies about fa m ily conservation
p ra c tic e s .
Fam ilies in past United States h is to ry have been encouraged
by government to use gre a te r amounts o f energy.
In 1920, United States
c itiz e n s consumed 19,768 t r i l l i o n s o f B r itis h Thermal U nits (Btus) fo r
energy needs.
In 1973, the amount o f American energy consumption
increased to 75,561 t r i l l i o n s o f Btus.
Per c a p ita , energy consumption
increased from 185.7 m illio n s o f Btus in 1920 to 359.1 m illio n s o f Btus
in 1973.
energy.
Before 1973 c itiz e n s were not aware o f any need to conserve
Therefore, lit e r a t u r e lacks research in to procedures fo r energy
conservation by fa m ilie s .
The m a jo rity o f surveys a fte r 1973 include
ways in d u s try can save energy and s c ie n t if ic endeavors to discover
d iffe r e n t energy resources as means o f conserving the American gas and
e le c tr ic supply.
In general, the immensity o f the problem required
tech nical and fa r-re a c h in g re s o lu tio n s .
Past h is to ry reveals th a t the
in s t it u t io n . o f the fa m ily adapted to s o c ie ta l demands.
The in s t it u t io n
o f the fa m ily has not been recognized as a p o te n tia l fo rce o f resource
i
th a t can s ig n if ic a n tly a ffe c t s o c ie ty 's economy i t s e l f .
In the fu tu re ,
e ffo r ts by fa m ilie s to conserve energy may determine the economic and
so cia l s u rv iv a l o f s o c ie ty .
19
Inadequate studies about present conservation p ra ctice s have
lim ite d the in v e s tig a to r to one study e n title d , "The Energy P olicy
P ro je c t".
The study, in it ia t e d by the Ford Foundation, includes 1,500
households.
S ta tis tic a l records under the major heading o f th is p o rtio n
o f lit e r a t u r e review are taken d ir e c tly from th is study (Newman and Day,
1975).
The in v e s tig a to r w i l l exp lain fa m ily p ra c tic e o f conserving energy
using fed era l p o lic ie s as basis o f change from conservation p ractices
c u rre n tly taught in the home.
The fo llo w in g l i s t o f questions in d ic a te
the kinds o f energy problems people today must face.
1.
What present c h a ra c te ris tic s o f houses prevent energy
conservation?
2.
What a lte r a tio n in house s tru c tu re w i l l fa m ilie s p o s s ib ly
make to conserve energy?
3.
What are present home w ea th e riza tio n p ra ctice s in the
United States?
4.
What present programs allow c itiz e n p a rtic ip a tio n in
energy needs o f t h e ir community?
5.
How w i l l peak hour use o f e l e c t r ic it y a ffe c t present
conserving e ffo rts ?
6.
What income class is immediately p ro fite d through
peak hour e le c tr ic rates?
7.
Why does p o llu tio n re q u ire c o n tro l?
8.
What income class is advantaged through p o llu tio n
c o n tro l a t the present time?
20
9.
What are present fa m ily behaviors regarding tra n s ­
p o rta tio n ?
10.
What are present appliance-use p ractices among
fa m ilie s ?
11.
What present appliance features prevent energy
conservation?
F if t y - s ix percent o f a ll personal energy is employed in the home
and 44% is used fo r tra n s p o rta tio n purposes.
heating uses 34%.
Of a ll home energy, space
Appliances u t i l i z e 15% personal energy.
employs 8% personal energy.
Waterheating
Cooking and re fr ig e r a tio n account fo r 3%
personal energy each (p. 33).
American houses u t i l i z e 1/5 o f a ll the personal energy expended
in the United S tates.
Because houses demand a s ig n ific a n t proportion
o f American energy, home conservation fea tures can have s ig n ific a n t
impact on the communities, the c it ie s , and the states in which p a r t i c i ­
pants re s id e .
However, c e rta in housing c h a ra c te ris tic s are more arduous
to a lte r than others and these fea tures should be appraised before new
houses are fa b ric a te d .
Antecedent fa m ilie s did not comprehend the importance o f energy
conservation in house c o n s tru c tio n .
in te n s iv e u t iliz a t io n o f energy.
Housing trends encouraged
These features were oftentim es
burdensome to a lt e r a fte r the house was constructed.
One laborious
d if f e r e n t ia l to transform is the b u ild in g 's foundation type.
Slab
foundations are the le a s t energy-conserving because they supply less
21
p ro te c tio n from the c h ille d ground than crawl space and basement founda­
tio n s .
Although crawl spaces, e s p e c ia lly when in s u la te d , o ffe r more
p ro te c tio n than slab foundation, in su la te d basements o ff e r the most
p re se rva tio n .
In 1966, slab foundations were b u ilt in to three out o f
ten new one-fam ily houses.
houses had slab foundations.
In 1971, fo u r out o f ten new one-fam ily
Only 6% o f a ll new s in g le -fa m ily houses
had basement foundations in 1973.
Insu late d a tt ic s above the house also safeguard b u ild in g s from, the
weather.
The Federal Energy A d m in is tra tio n (FEA) re ports th is about
in s u la tio n :
" I f a t t ic in s u la tio n were added to the 15 m illio n s in g le -
fa m ily homes th a t need i t , we'd save about 8% on your heating o il each
w in te r day" (Tips fo r Energy Savers, 1977, p. 12).
Garages fu rn is h
p ro te c tio n which are less operative than in su la te d a t t ic s .
Although the
a d d itio n o f a tt ic s or garages are more e a s ily a lte ra b le by fa m ilie s than
house foundations, minute fu e l savings would presumably not allow fa m il­
ies to e re ct a tt ic s as an investment. The choice to accomodate an a t t ic
in houses should be e ffe ctu a te d previous to house c o n s tru c tio n .
Amount o f flo o r space also accounts fo r energy consumption.
Researchers fin d th a t a one s to ry house w ith 1,500 fe e t o f flo o r space .
consumes more energy because more surface area is exposed to the ground
than a tw o -sto ry house w ith the same amount o f flo o r space.
A tw o-story
house would use about 20-25% less energy because th a t much less surface
22
is exposed.
The v e r it y th a t reduced f lo o r space w ill sa ve 'fu e l supply
should also be premeditated before the house is fa b ric a te d .
In s ig n ific a n t fea tures such as apertures in the house are s im ila r ly
form idable to transform a fte r the house is constructed.
Numerous
windows and/or massive size o f windows perm it heat escape.
This loss
can be precluded through the a d d itio n o f m u lti glazed windows and doors
o r through heat absorbing or h e a t-re fle c te d , glazed and coated windows.
Furthermore, metal frames around windows also allow more heat to escape
than do wooden window frames.
Space heating now uses 35% o f a ll home energy.
Family d is c re tio n
o f the type o f heating system they p re fe r can s ig n if ic a n tly a ffe c t the
amount o f energy th a t p a r tic u la r homes uses.
Researchers fin d th a t
e le c tr ic heating systems consume tw ice as many Btus as oth er sytems.
This too is untoward to modify a fte r the house fa b ric a tio n .
However,
s c ie n tis ts are discovering new ways to transform th is amount o f energy
expenditure.
Newman and Day suggest th a t fa m ily owners o f massive homes
could place several therm ostats in various rooms to perm it p a rtic u la r
heating o f those rooms in use.
Most u n a lte ra b le energy consuming features in houses are the
outcome o f c e n tra liz e d decisions o f co n tra cto rs ra th e r than the d e te r­
m ination o f in d iv id u a l fa m ilie s .
During the period from 1966-1971
researchers discovered th a t o f a ll new one-fam ily houses, '42% were those
houses constructed by re s id e n tia l b u ild e rs on th e ir land and sold to
23
prospective buyers.
Only 3% o f new one-fam ily houses were b u ilt on land
according to the owner's s p e c ific a tio n .
Contracted houses on massive
land tra c ts are b u i lt to save expenses and tim e.
Consequently, these .
houses were b u i lt w ith slab foundations and e le c tr ic heating systems.
The s e llin g fe a tu re was a ce n tra l a ir-c o n d itio n in g u n it which consumes
an in te n s iv e amount o f energy.
During th is p e riod , slab foundations
and e le c tr ic heating systems were placed in more than 80% o f a ll new
one-fa m ily houses.
These e n erg y-inte nsive d is tin c tio n s in homes are arduous to a lte r
once the house is erected.
However, fa m ilie s o fte n make basic pre­
ferences which p e rta in to energy use which the members can a lte r .
For
example, most fa m ilie s choose the house type which r e s t r ic t s energy
conservation, the s in g le u n it house, and most fa m ilie s are not w illin g
to transpose th e ir v o litio n s .
Because s in g le detached u n it fa m ily homes
are less protected from the weather than the m u lti- fa m ily liv in g com­
plexes, these houses also take advantage o f more energy use.
Records
from the Bureau o f Census t e s t if y th a t 3/4 o f a ll American fa m ilie s in
1973 inh abite d s in g le u n it houses.
In 1920, 2/3 o f a ll Americans
populated s in g le u n it fa m ily houses.
The tenor in m u lti- fa m ily liv in g
complexes shows a decent from the 1920 fig u re s .
occupied apartment complexes in 1920.
dwelled in m u lti- fa m ily composites.
Of a l l Americans, 33%
In 1973, 20% o f a ll Americans
Researchers fin d th a t a heightened
number o f Americans liv e in mobile homes.
In 1973, 4% o f a ll Americans
24
inhabited mobile homes.
Mobile housing o ffe rs the le a s t p ro te c tio n from
weather because i t is detached, poorly in s u la te d , and heated w ith
e le c t r ic it y .
A m a jo rity o f fa m ilie s can also s e le c t the clim ate they desire, to
occupy, y e t most fa m ilie s do not consider energy conservation as a
d e cisive fa c to r f o r clim ate choice.
Researchers d iv id e clim ate in to
fo u r zones according to the amount o f heating degree days used to warm
fa m ily homes.
These t e r r it o r ie s are the N ortheast, the N orthC entral,
the South, and the West.
Areas which include more heating days may also
be areas in which the m a jo rity intend to weatherize th e ir homes.
For
example, re sid en ts w ith in a c it y o f 10,000 heating days such as Grand
Forks, North Dakota, w i l l be more d e c is iv e ly weatherized than New
Orleans re sid en ts which re p o rt 1,500 heating days.
I t fo llo w s th a t
fa m ilie s may not decide to dwell w ith in warmer regions to save energy.
However, fa m ilie s in cold regions may s e le c t devices fo r house tra n s ­
form ations to preserve the fu e l supply.
Fam ilies w ill more lik e ly a d ju st home features as members view
conservation exercises a p ra c tic a l investment against soaring fuel
p ric e s .
The a lte ra b le features which re la te to a ll households at the
present time are w ea therization and furnace tra nsfo rm atio ns.
In v e s ti­
gators discover th a t such m o d ific a tio n s can be s ig n ific a n t i f numerous
re sid en ts p a rtic ip a te in a given area.
For example, researchers c a l-
.
cu la te th a t the c it y o f Boston could save 6 m illio n Btus per established
25
storm window.
Annually New York C ity could lib e r a te a s im ila r amount o f
energy and D allas could preserve 1.7 m illio n Btus per storm window
inducted.
In v e s tig a to rs claim , in tim e , the a d d itio n o f storm windows
in a cold region such as Boston could be a w orthw hile investment.
If
the house contains a ir-c o n d itio n in g , the window w i l l pay fo r i t s e l f in
ten years.
Those most in need o f storm windows, low income persons,
cannot a ffo rd the investment a t the attendent tim e.
Proposed p o lic ie s
would extend loans to the impoverished, thus enabling them to e ffe c tu a te
th is w ea therization tr a n s itio n .
Low cost storm window in s ta lla tio n is
also conceivable fo r low income groups.
Researchers c a lc u la te th a t a
house w ith 14 windows can in s t a ll storm windows by taping p la s tic
t ig h t ly to seal from heat departure during cold weather fo r $10.
In
a d d itio n to storm windows, house in s u la tio n may prove an invaluable
investment against soaring fu e l p ric e s .
Investment pa yoff fo r in s u la ­
tio n is co n tin g e n t upon analagous programs such as the one in s titu te d by
Michigan P ublic S ervice.
Homes in need are insu la ted by natural gas
cdmpancies fo r 20% downpayment and a 1% in te re s t ra te a fte r three months
o f no charge.
Because o f lessened fu e l b i l l s , in s u la tio n in s ta llm e n t
could pay fo r i t s e l f in one year.
House s iz e , in s u la tio n amount, and
type a ll vary in s u la tio n re q u is ite s .
Another a lte ra b le housing fe a tu re which may pay o f f as investment,
furnace changes, has been te c h n o lo g ic a lly advanced by science, y e t the
p u b lic is unaware o f these promotions.
The appliances have entered the
26
market w ith in the past fiv e years.
One device, the e le c tr ic a l or
mechanical ig n itio n system, would perm it the household head to tu rn o f f
his own p i l o t li g h t during the summer.
Savings o f natural gas could be
su b s ta n tia l i f a ll household heads tu rn o f f th e ir p i l o t lig h ts during
te p id months.
For example, researchers fin d th a t in the summer o f 1972,
o f those 43.2 m illio n households w ith gas heat, 31% turned th e ir p ilo t
lig h ts o f f .
Those household heads whose p il o t lig h t remained oh in a ll
lik e lih o o d did not wish to make the incommodious c a ll to the gas com­
pany.
Some gas companies charge to do the s e rv ic e , which would make the
in s u b s ta n tia l savings o f $5 t o t a lly in s ig n ific a n t.
The cost o f i n s t a l l ­
ing an e le c tr ic a l ig n itio n system demands a long-term investment depen­
dent upon natura l gas p ric e in fla tio n s .
Nonetheless, in v e s tig a to rs
discover th a t 1% o f a ll personal energy depleted in households may be
preserved through j o i n t e f f o r t o f tu rn in g p il o t lig h ts o f f .
Another energy conserving investm ent, in s u la tin g household water
heaters, e n ta ils some e x e rtio n .
Those fa m ilie s who own clotheswashers
and/or dishwashers may in v e s t w ise ly by in s u la tin g th e ir water systems.
Researchers discover th a t a 1969 quick recovery e le c tr ic water heater
consumes 52 m illio n B tus.
This amount is considerably more than the
n a tura l gas 1971 model water heater which uses 32 m illio n Btus.
In
1973, 34% o f s in g le fa m ily homes u tiliz e d e le c t r ic it y to heat water and
56% o f s in g le fa m ily homes used natura l gas to heat w ater.
Owners o f
both v a rie tie s o f systems could fu rn is h p ro fita b le savings fo r th e ir
27
fa m ilie s .
Owners o f e le c tr ic heating systems may want to consider
changing to a natura l gas system o f heating water fo r more s u b s ta n tia l,
savings.
Family P a rtic ip a tio n in Community Conservation
E sp e cia lly in Montana, community decisions about energy conserva­
tio n a t th is present time are c r i t i c a l .
National e ffo r ts to conserve,
our n a tura l gas and e le c tr ic reserve depends on Montana's w illin g n e s s to
e x p lo it her coal resources u n til s o la r research is perfected.
This
in sinu ate s th a t in Montana by the year 2000, coal production may in f la t e
from 58 m illio n tons per year to 393 m illio n tons per year (C hristianson
and C la rk, 1976).
Major community transform ations could meddle w ith the
environmental balance.
Coal development produces a ir p o llu tio n .
S lu rry-m in in g in te rfe re s w ith the supply o f water.
could damage h a b ita t.
the land.
S trip mining o f coal
New ra ilro a d tra n s p o rta tio n systems could d iv id e
Future decisions w i l l have impact on fa m ily l i f e
in Montana.
Y et, fa m ilie s as m icroscopic so cia l u n its u s u a lly do not have repres­
e n ta tive s or spokesmen to defend the rig h ts o f th a t group.
Various
represented in te re s t groups do have a spokesman and fa m ilie s are often
persuaded to p o la riz e t h e ir opinions w ith one o f these groups.
As a
r e s u lt, fo r example. Friends o f the Earth speak fo r the in te re s t o f th a t
group.
fa m ily .
Yet, few heads o f households speak t o t a lly fo r the regard o f the
28
C ertain community programs do provide fa m ily p a rtic ip a tio n in
community re s o lu tio n s .
In 1974, H e n rie tta S c h ilit o u tlin e d p ra c tic a l
steps fo r fa m ily decision making in community c r is is s itu a tio n s .
These
steps include:
1.
Community needs are voiced by some outside community
expert.
These needs could in clu d e :
a new type o f tra n s ­
p o rta tio n system w ith in the c it y , and in tro d u c tio n o f new
types o f so la r-h e a tin g systems e tc .
2.
Local newspapers and radio broadcasters inform the community
o f the needed adaptation.
3.
Local fa m ilie s themselves must define the problem and l i s t
a lte rn a tiv e re s o lu tio n s .
4.
As repre senta tives o f the community, the selfappointed fam­
i l i e s present the problem in a way evident to th e ir community
members.
5.
The problem's re s o lu tio n depends on bargaining w ith fin a l
compromise.
6.
Goals f i r s t established a t the ou tset are evaluated upon the
accomplishments a t the outcome..
In summary, S c h ilit says, "As the c r is is is acted upon as a c o lle c tiv e
body, the outcome w i l l o ffe r b e tte r s o lu tio n s " (1976, p. 34).
29
Peak Hour E le c t r ic it y
The United States p re se n tly uses a "d e c lin in g block ra te " to p ric e
e le c t r ic it y .
This method o f ra tin g e le c t r ic it y esta blishe s lower p ric e
ra te s f o r the gre a te r amount o f e le c t r ic it y consumed.
Consequently,
Americans who use the most e le c t r ic it y also pay the lowest p ric e s .
On
the oth er hand, low income fa m ilie s who use the le a s t e le c t r ic it y pay
the highest p ric e s .
As energy price s r is e , the in ju s tic e o f th is system
could s ig n if ic a n tly reduce low income resistance against p ric e ris e .
The system is s im ila r ly u n ju st because d e c lin in g bloc rates do not
teach the p u b lic energy conservation.
Instead, the system encourages
fre e use o f e le c t r ic it y .
Several a lte rn a tiv e s could replace the d e c lin in g bloc system.
Economists suggest the a n tith e s is o f the d e c lin in g bloc system.
Low
rates would be paid fo r the f i r s t bloc fo r e le c t r ic it y and increase in
p ric e per more e le c t r ic it y used.
Those income groups who use the most
e le c t r ic it y would then pay the highest rates o f e le c t r ic it y .
Although
th is system ju s t ly removes the disadvantage from the poor, in d u s try
i t s e l f may s u ffe r serious consequences.
Another system adopted by
France and proven workable in th a t country is c a lle d "peak hour" e le c­
t r ic a l- r a t in g system.
This type o f energy ra tin g system is advantageous
to several so cia l and income groups.
These th re e : • the low income, the
m etropolis area, and in d u s try are a few among s e v e ra l.
The system
30
encourages higher p rice s fo r e l e c t r ic it y when e le c tr ic a l demand is
g re a te r than a t oth er tim es.
Those who use e le c t r ic it y when the e le c ­
t r i c a l demand o f th e ir community is low, pay low ra te energy p rice s.
Hence, low income fa m ilie s have means o f c u ttin g costs by a lte rin g t h e ir
a c t iv it y schedules.
For example, these fa m ilie s could heat th e ir homes
and have meals a t odd hours which d i f f e r from other fa m ily schedules.
This a lte ra tio n in a c t iv it y may b e n e fit th is group more than others
because manual la b o r, such as fa c to ry assemblage can independently f i t
in to an odd-hour schedule.
the general p u b lic .
O ffic e work o fte n depends on the schedule o f
In d u stry must fin d b e n e fits to change i t s schedule
to f i t the needs o f i t s workers.
I f in d u s try seeks lower rates a t low
demand time period s, i t s schedule w i l l f i t the needs o f i t s workers.
F in a lly , the peak hour use o f e le c t r ic it y determ inately b e n e fits the
region .
Residents in the expanse o f L iving ston would not discover the
same advantages as resid en ts in the area o f New York C ity .
Numerous
re sid en ts who p a rtic ip a te through a lte re d a c t iv it y cycles would save an
ample amount o f e le c t r ic it y fo r the m u n ic ip a lity as insurance against
the fu tu re .
Because o f past mediocre planning, peak hour e le c tr ic a l use in
megalopolis areas may not be as advantageous as th is system can be.
For
example, new s in g le u n it houses constructed on larg e tra c ts o f land by
co n tra cto rs o ffe r s im ila r energy in te n s iv e fe a tu re s .
The features o f
e le c tr ic heat and ce n tra l a ir c o n d itio n in g do not allow f le x ib le energy
31
use.
I f some houses used natural gas in lie u o f e le c t r ic it y , the to ta l
community could be a ssiste d.
The system could o ffe r other gains in a d d itio n to lowered rates fo r
lower e le c tr ic a l peak use.
The idea o f neighborhood is extended when
neighbors have some reason to e s ta b lis h contact (Young, 1973).
Commun­
i t i e s w i l l discover the need to study the a c t iv it y cycle p a tte rn s.
Thus, United States c itiz e n s w i l l somewhat become aware o f th e ir neigh­
borhood's d a ily a c t iv it y .
Researchers claim th a t neighborhoods grow as
neighbors e s ta b lis h contact w ith each o th e r.
Although community a c tiv ­
i t y schedules do not insure physical co n ta ct, the awareness o f one's
community may be in c e n tiv e to develop incremental contact u n til the
community is a p p re cia tive o f one s p e c ific need o f one fa m ily member in
the community.
Present Conservation P ractices o f Fam ilies Regarding P o llu tio n Control
P o llu tio n co n tro l is not always a f f il i a t e d w ith preserving energy.
For example, p o llu tio n devices fo r cars d e fla te the fu e l economy 5% in
most automobiles.
However, both p o llu tio n c o n tro l and conservation work
fo r the common good o f a ll people.
In response to the need to save
energy, automobile manufacturers may produce lig h te r-w e ig h t cars.
\
P o llu tio n co n tro l devices do not reduce mileage i f the car is extremely
l i g h t w eight.
Or, s c ie n tis ts may eventuate a more re fin e d fu e l to
prevent p o llu tio n which does not reduce mileage.
Therefore, the two
32
working together can o ffe r more o p p o rtu n ity as a mutual bond, than they
would tr a v a il as separate e n titie s .
A ll programs which teach conservation o f energy also teach p o llu ­
tio n c o n tro l.
By using less energy, c itiz e n s p o llu te le s s .
Yet, there
is discrepancy (among in d u s try e s p e c ia lly ) about what is energy conser­
v a tio n .
In d u stry assumes a s im ila r view as the government; coal resour­
ces must save the supply o f gas and o il u n til the United States can
p e rfe c t s o la r research.
Most American c itiz e n s are cognizant o f the detrim ental conseq­
uences o f coal combustion on he a lth .
Researchers fig u re th a t an indus­
t r i a l p la n t which fu n ctio n s by burning coal w ith one percent s u lfu r
content y ie ld s 38 pounds o f s u lfu r d io xid e per ton o f c o a l.
The most
le th a l o f a ll p o llu ta n ts , s u lfu r d io x id e , is notably v ir u le n t when i t
combines w ith p a rtic u la te s .
The g reate st aggregate o f p a rtic u la te and
s u lfu r dio xid e is found near coal-burning in d u s trie s .
P a rtic u la te
disp ersion is p r in c ip a lly ample i f the coal possesses high ash content.
This p o llu ta n t im pairs the lungs and the h e a rt.
P o te n tia l e x p lic it
damage can r e s u lt in b ro n c h itis , emphysema, and lung cancer.
the environment is e q u a lly profound.
Damage to
S u lfu r dio xid e released in to the
atmosphere fre q u e n tly re tu rn s as s u lfu r ic acid (Newman, p. 106).
Low income groups in m etrop olitan areas must dwell in the sections
most p o llu te d , the ce n tra l c it ie s .
Nominal housing and employment .
o p p o rtu n itie s suppress the low income group in the c e n tra l c it y .
33
Because th is group a c tu a lly uses the s lig h te s t amount o f energy, poverty
fa m ilie s are le a s t accountable f o r the p o llu tio n problem.
P o llu tio n can be managed.
In 1969, the government enforced re g u la ­
tio n s in order to dim in ish p o llu tio n .
Studies by W illia m Druvant v e r if y
th a t the D is t r ic t o f Columbia did reduce p o llu tio n through standards f o r
in c in e ra to rs .
In 1969, on ly 6% o f the population o f the D is t r ic t o f
Columbia were below the 1969 standards.
By 1973 p o llu tio n had been
reduced 2,444% in the D is t r ic t o f Columbia.
Low income groups re lis h e d
the p o llu tio n -fre e atmosphere high income groups lik e w is e found pleasur­
able (Newman, Chapter 16).
The p e n a ltie s o f p o llu tio n are c o s tly .
d o lla rs were expended fo r p o llu tio n c o n tro l.
b i l l i o n were health f o r f e it s .
Of the fig u r e , $4.6
Property p e n a ltie s accounted fo r $5.8
b i l l i o n d o lla rs o f the q u o ta tio n .
b illio n .
In 1970, $12.3 b i l l i o n
M a terial damage accounts fo r $1.7
Crop damage accounts fo r $2 b i l l i o n d o lla rs (Newman).
The Federal government would manipulate the p o llu tio n o f u t i l i t y
in d u s try by d is tr ib u tin g costs upon the e n tir e ty o f c itiz e n s w ith in a
given t e r r it o r y .
In order to c o n tro l p o llu tio n , u t i l i t y in d u s try could
augment ra tes to those i t serves.
Because u t i l i t i e s are regulated
monopolies, u t i l i t y in d u s try would be compelled to discuss new ways to
master p o llu tio n in place o f expanding i t s s iz e ,
the p o lic y also
delegates power to in d u s try o f u t i l i t i e s to ra is e p ric e rates fo r th a t
one p a r tic u la r reason.
Absence o f the p o lic y may prevent stock holder
34
investment in the s e lf-re g u la te d u t i l i t y because dividend re turn s would
be low.
A common misconception is th a t the natural world propounds co stfre e se rvice .
Americans must re a liz e th a t in order to have pure a ir ,
they must pay fo r i t .
I f consumers do not pay fo r clean a i r , then i t is given no value
measurable through monetary costs.
I f rates go up as a re s u lt o f
p o llu tio n c o n tro l, consumers could take an a c tiv e ro le in discussing low
cost p o llu tio n equipment which must meet fed era l standards.
F urther­
more, c itiz e n s who conceive th a t the fu e l b i l l is p a r t ia lly u tiliz e d
f o r health advantages could oversee u t i l i t y in d u s try a c t iv it ie s .
In Montana, the land has been fre e o f p o llu tio n and e x p lo ita tio n o f
most types o f in d u s try .
costs.
Most c itiz e n s are not aware o f in d u s tria l
The costs o f a ll types o f in d u s try in th is spacious and sparsely
populated land are extremely high.
Montanans must s u b s ta n tia lly value
t h e ir health and t h e ir environment.
L ite ra tu re lacks reviews about the p ra c tic e o f conservation and the
consequence o f published ra te schedules.
Studies are also d e fic ie n t in
respect to the exercise o f conservation as the product o f tax c re d it fo r
s o la r and wind heating systems.
T ransp orta tion and Family Conservation P ractices
The automobile symbolizes the v e h ic le which brought p ro s p e rity to
America.
This prosperous economic innovation did transform the American
35
c u ltu re .
In lie u o f an a g r ic u ltu r a lly based economy, America became
in d u s tria liz e d .
This tr a n s itio n has had impact upon American fa m ilie s ,
American communities, and n a tiona l u n ity in the United S tates.
In fa c t ,
tra n s p o rta tio n i t s e l f has created unprecedented in te rn a tio n a l depen­
dencies which are im ita te d in fa m ily l i f e .
M ilto n Yinger states th a t
th is tu rn in g p o in t in economies is "from subsistence to complex in t e r ­
dependent processes th a t bind several nations tog eth er" (Edwards, 1969,
p. 271).
According to Y inger, fa m ilie s o f the past valued tr a d itio n a l
p ra ctice s and "th e substance which could insure c o n tin u ity to genera­
tio n s " (Edwards, 1969, p. 271).
Sons o f farmers considered other
options beside farming as possible vocational a lte rn a tiv e s .
F if t y years
a fte r the automobile became prevalent in the United S tates, Goode says
th is about fa m ily behavior, "We are w itnessing a remarkable phenomenon;
the development o f s im ila r fa m ily behavior and values among much o f the
w o rld 's popula tion" (Edwards, 1969, p. 380).
Conservation o f gasoline had not been exercised by fa m ilie s to any
great e xte n t u n til a fte r 1973.
A fte r th a t tim e . Federal law re s tric te d
speed to 55 m iles per hour (MPH), and gasoline sale on Sundays, which
forced fa m ilie s to conserve.
automobile fo r s ta tu s .
Yet, various income le v e ls r e ly on the
Those most a fflu e n t use the most gasoline.
Researchers estim ate th a t the prosperous use fiv e times as much gasoline
as low income fa m ilie s .
Because there is great discrepancy among income
groups according to gasoline consumption, tra n s p o rta tio n p o lic y w ill be
36
explained more com pletely according to demographic fa c to rs th a t in flu e n ce
conservation p ra c tic e s .
Tax on O il and Natural Gas and Present Family Conservation P ractices
Researchers estim ate th a t 15% o f a ll personal energy is used by
appliances.
Modernized designs o f appliances have increased the amount
o f energy they consume.
A ll oth er major appliances, except the stove,
u t i l i z e more energy than they consumed in 1950.
Regular re frig e ra to rs
and automatic clothes washers consumed much more fu e l than those a p p li­
ances u tiliz e d in 1950.
Regular re frig e ra to rs m o bilize 59% more fu e l
and re g u la r fre ezers employ 39% more f u e l.
Two conclusions fo r the
enhanced fu e l consumption are convenience features and massive ap p lia n ­
ces.
For example, the elementary 1950 home cabinet fre e z e r using 620 .
k ilo w a tt hours per year was superceded by the 1969 fre e z e r using 860
k ilo w a tt hours per year.
S im ila rly , the 1950 simple w ringer washer
which used 45 k ilo w a tt hours per year was supplanted by the automatic
clothes washer which used 103 k ilo w a tt hours per year (Newman, p. 58).
Table I and 2 s ig n ify the trend in natural gas and e le c tr ic a l use
by various appliances.
These tab les are follow ed by a l i s t o f annual
energy requirements o f small appliances. .
37
TABLE I
Trend in Estimated Annual Use o f Natural Gas by Applia n c e .
Selected Years, 1960-1971 (therms)
Percent Change
1960-71
Appliance
1960
1966
1971
Range
Apartment
House
a
100
74
106
88
105
19
5
R e frig e ra to r
120
a
a
a
85
45
90
52
75
60
-12
.33
a
183
181
Clothes dryer
Gas p ilo t
E le c tric p i l o t
Gas l ig h t
-I .
a = Not a v a ila b le
NOTE: From The American Energy Consumer, by D. Newman and Day,
1975, 22-24, Copyright Cambridge LI. Press by B a llin g e r Publishing Co
The Ford Foundation. Reprinted w ith permission o f B a llin g e r Pub­
lis h in g Company.
38
TABLE 2
Trend in Estimated Annual E le c t r ic it y Use o f Major Ap p liahces,
Selected Years, 1950-1969 (kw h rf
------ ;-----
Appliance
Percent
Change
1959-69
1950
1959
1969
1,250
1,225
1,175
-4
R e frig e ra to r
Regular
FrostTess
345
a
420
a
728
1,217
73 ■
a .
Freezer
Home freeze cabinet
Regular
F rostless
620
a
a
a
860
a
a
1,195
1,761
a
39
a
45
a
45
60
76
103
69
72
520
910
993
.9
a
355
363
2
290
a
325
a
362
502
11
a
Stove
Laundry
Clothes washers
Nonautomatic
Automatic
Clothes dryer
Dishwasher
T e le visio n
Black and White
Color
a = Not a v a ila b le
NOTE: From "The American Energy Consumer, by D. Newman and D<
1975, 22-24, Copyright Cambridge LI. Press'by B a llin g e r Publishing
Co. The Ford Foundation. Reprinted w ith permission o f B a llin g e r
P ublishing Company.
39
TABLE 3
Annual Energy Requirements o f Small E le c tric Household Aooliances.
1973
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----------Appliance
Average
Wattage
________________ 1
Estimated
kwhr consumed
Annually
Food preparation
Blender
B ro ile r
Carving k n ife
Coffee maker
Deep fr y e r
Dishwasher
Egg cooker
Frying pan
Hot p la te
Mixer
Oven (microwave only)
Roaster
Sandwich g r i l l
Toaster
Trash compactor
W affle iro n
Waste disposer
386
1,436
92
894
1,448
1,201
516
1,196
1,257
127
1,450
1,333
1,161
1,146
400
1,116
445
15
100
8
106
83
363
14
186
90
13
190
205
33
39
50
22
30
50
177
257
370
88
171
200
1,322
65
177
216
147
377
291
43
138
170
176
10
163
Comfort co n d itio n in g
A ir cleaner
Bed covering
B ehum idifier
Fan ( a t t ic )
Fan (c ir c u la tin g )
Fan (ro lla w a y)
Fan (window)
Heater (p o rta b le )
Heating pad
H u m id ifie r
40
Appliance
Average
Wattage
____________________
Estimated
kwhr consumed
Annually
(Continued from previous page).
Health and beauty
Germicidal lamp
H air dryer
Heat lamp
Shaver
Sun lamp
Tooth brush
V ib ra to r
20
381
250
14
279
7
40
141
14
13
2
16
.5
2
71
109
86
109
2
305
75
603
1,008
17
15
11
46
144
Home entertainm ent
Radio
R adio/record player
House wares
Clock
F loor p o lis h e r
Sewing machine
Vacuum cleaner
Iron (hand)
NOTE: From the American Energy Consumer, Copyright 1975, The
Ford Foundation, re p rin te d w ith permission o f B a llin g e r Pub­
lis h in g Company.
41
Most consumers are not aware o f these energy re q u is ite s .
For
th a t reason. The Federal Trade Commission in 1975 demands th a t
manufacturers must lab el the fo llo w in g appliances according to th e ir
operating costs:
(I)
ce n tra l a ir-c o n d itio n e rs
(2)
h u m id ifie rs and dehum idifiers
(3)
clothes dryers
(4)
kitchen ranges and ovens
(5)
dishwashers
(7)
freezers
(8)
(9)
furnaces
(TO)
te le v is io n sets
(12)
water heaters
(ID
. (6)
home heating equipment, not
in c lu d in g furnaces
re frig e ra to rs and r e fr ig e r a to r freezers
room a ir-c o n d itio n e rs
Yet, la b e lin g does not always o ffe r complete and understandable informa
tio n to the consumer.
The FEA states i r i 1978, "Extensive la b e lin g and
consumer in fo rm a tio n w i l l be required fo r most appliances" (Tips fo r
Energy Savers, 1977, p. 31).
P o licy Perception In Terms o f C ertain Demographic Variables
Income is the preponderant fa c to r which determines fa m ily perception
o f the p o lic y .
Studies in it ia t e d by the Ford Foundation compared income
le v e l d iffe re n c e w ith :
(T) house type s; (2) fu e l consumption; (3) modes
o f tra n s p o rta tio n ; (4) appliance u t i l i t y .
Income le v e ls f e l l w ith in fo u r major d iv is io n s .
averaged below 2,500.
Poor incomes
Lower-middle class income averaged under $12,000.
Income o f the upper-middle classes ranged between $12*000 and $15,999.
42
Those whose income averaged above $16,000 were c la s s ifie d w e ll- o ff.
Results o f the study in d ic a te th a t the lowest income group used
s ig n if ic a n tly less energy than the oth er income le v e ls .
Because
n a tura l gas is needed f o r necessary d a ily a c t iv it ie s such as water
heating and space-heating, the poor consume only 40% less than other
income le v e ls .
However, the poor save tw ice as much e le c t r ic it y as
the w e ll- o f f economize.
The poor sim ply own fewer appliances and as
a r e s u lt, use e le c t r ic it y less o fte n .
In a d d itio n , the poor save
fiv e times the amount o f gasoline than the w e ll- o f f save.
Luxury
excursions and extensive vacations o fte n denote w asteful habits
p ra ctice d by the w e ll- o f f .
Most impoverished h a b ita ts are energy conserving s tru c tu re .
As a m a jo rity apartment dw ellers are low income.
In g e neral, poor
s in g le -u n it houses fe a tu re no s u b s ta n tia l windows and an inconsequential
number o f w a lls and rooms.
W eatherization fea tures are inadequate in
2/5 o f a ll impoverished homes.
Low income fa m ilie s save fu e l sim ply because many do not possess
cars.
In 1965, 65% o f the poor did not own a car.
On the other hand,
only 5% o f the w e ll- o f f did not posses an automobile.
year o f 1973, 45% o f the poor y e t d id not own a car.
In the recent
At th a t tim e,
78% o f the w e ll- o f f owned more than one car.
Older vehicle s are fre q u e n tly energy-conserving because they
fe a tu re fewer e xtra accessories such as a ir c o n d itio n e rs .
Furthermore,
43
the poor own these o ld e r cars.
In v e s tig a tio n reveals th a t the poor
owned and used cars fiv e years old or o ld e r.
Of these, 60% were c la s s i*
fie d standard types o f cars w hile 15% were vans or tru c k s .
On th e .o th e r
hand, over h a lf o f the w e ll- o f f in v e s t in new cars.
Almost h a lf o f the poor re p o rt gas mileage a t 15-19 g a llo n s.
Of
the w e ll- o f f , 34% reveal gas mileage o f less than 14 m iles per g a llo n .
The poor to le ra te less gasoline usage fo r various reasons.
In
m e tro p o lita n areas, the poor who in h a b it the c e n tra l c it ie s commute by
p u b lic t r a n s it more re c u rre n tly than oth er income le v e ls .
Furthermore,
the poor households contain less d riv e rs per car.
As energy price s ascend, poor households are placed in a precarious
p o s itio n .
Many o f these households cannot re lin q u is h goods and services
which fa m ily members have acquired over the years.
trib u te s to fundamental household needs.
A ll income con­
In a d d itio n , gasoline prices
and car maintenance r e s t r i c t the poor so th a t occupations must be w ith in
w alking distance o f residency.
In 1972-73 poor households spent 15% fo th e ir to ta l income fo r
e l e c t r i c i t y , natura l gas, and gasoline.
The w e ll- o f f expend merely 4%
o f th e ir to ta l earnings fo r these fu e ls .
The poor w i l l more li k e l y in te r p r e t r is in g energy costs as a
detrim ent to th e ir fa m ily s tru c tu re , y e t the government, re a liz in g th e ir
p o s itio n , might provide means to combat the hardship.
Other income '
44
groups w i l l begin to use a c t iv it y patterns the poor have been p ra c tic in g
fo r a century.
Sex Type And Energy P o lic y Perception
Reuben H ill claim s th a t the impact o f inve ntion s has impressed
fa m ilie s in diverse ways (Edwards, p. 352-370).
A c tu a lly inventions may
not save time fo r le is u re as they o fte n propose to do.
According to
H i l l , in ve n tio n s have a c tu a lly increased the q u a lity o f fa m ily and
s o c ie ta l service because more women have jo in e d the la b o r force (Edwards,
1969, p. 360).
H is to ry reveals th a t in 1890, 18% Of a ll women were
employed outside the home.
By 1973, 75% were employed outside the home.
Those women must manage household around a work schedule, fre e in g lab or
and tim e used fo r cooking and cleaning.
New inventions s im ila r to the
microwave oven may cut la b o r, tim e , and energy costs so th a t women can
m aintain th e ir schedule.
Future Energy Conservation P ractices Needed by Fam ilies
The FEA published a pamphlet on "Tips fo r Energy Savers" in August
o f 1977.
The fo llo w in g p ra c tic a l ways fa m ilie s o f the fu tu re can save
energy are taken d ir e c t ly from th a t lit e r a t u r e .
P rote cting the Home From Outside Heat and Cold
Insu late --N o m atter how you heat or cool your home, you can reduce
the load on your heating and cooling equipment by as much as 20-30%
by in v e s tin g a few hundred d o lla rs in in s u la tio n . T h at's about as
much as i t would cost you to buy a c o lo r te le v is io n . But the
b e n e fits in in s u la tio n --lo w e r u t i l i t y co sts--co n tin u e fo r years.
45
FIND OUT IF YOUR HOME NEEDS INSULATION—Your needs w ill
depend on the clim ate in which you liv e and the amount
o f in s u la tio n , i f any, you already have. For guidance,
co n su lt w ith reputable in s u la tio n dealer in your com­
munity o r w ith your lo c a l b u ild in g insp ector o r county
agent.
FIND OUT ABOUT R-VALUES—before you buy your in s u la tio n
m a te ria ls . In Montana, c e ilin g in s u la tio n requires 11
inches o f glass fib e r or 10 inches o f rock wool, in ba tts
or blankets or 15 inches o f glass fib e r or 11-12 inches
o f rock wool o r 9 inches o f c e llu lo s ic fib e r which is
loose f i l l .
Floor in s u la tio n requires 6 1/2 inches o f
glass fib e r or s ix inches o f rock wool which is in ba tts
o r blankets. Loose f i l l fo r flo o r in s u la tio n requires
10 inches o f glass f ib e r , 7-8 inches o f rock wool and
s ix inches o f c e llu lo s ic fib e r .
CONSIDER INSULATING EXTERIOR WALLS-This is an expensive '
measure th a t require s the Services o f a c o n tra c to r, but
i t may be worth the cost i f you liv e in a very hot or very
cold c lim a te . There should be enough space in the w alls
to accomodate blow n-in in s u la tio n . Costs range from 60
cents to 90 cents per square fo o t. Savings could amount
to 16-20% o f u t i l i t y costs.
INSULATE FLOORS OVER UNHEATED SPACES such as crawl spaces
and garages. Costs could range from $200-$400. Savings
could amount to about 8% on your heating and cooling costs.
D ra ft-P ro o f Windows and Doors
TEST YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS FOR AIRTIGHTNESS. Move a
lig h te d candle around the frames and sashes o f your windows
I f the flame dances around, you need caulking and/or
w e a th e rstrip p in g .
Try s lip p in g a q u arte r under the door. I f i t goes
through e a s ily , you need w e a th e rstrip p in g .
. CAULK AND WEATHERSTRIP DOORS AND WINDOWS. I t ' s easy to
do y o u rs e lf. Caulking and w ea therstripp ing m a te ria ls
costs about $25 fo r the average house (12 windows, 2 doors)
Savings in annual energy costs could amount to 10% or
more.
46
INSTALL STORM WINDOWS. Combination screen and storm
windows ( t r ip le - t r a c k glass combination) are the most
convenient and energy e f f ic ie n t because they can be opened
e a s ily when there is no need to run heating o r cooling
equipment. They cost about $30 each.
A lte rn a tiv e s range from single-pane storm windows
(about $10 each), which have to be removed to admit
outside a i r , to c le a r p la s tic film which can be taped
t i g h t l y to the in sid e o f the window frames.
Savings in reduced space heating costs f o r any o f these types o f
p ro te c tio n can amount to as much as 15% a year. Adding storm doors
in very cold or very hot clim ates could increase these savings.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and coo lin g our homes account fo r most o f our re s id e n tia l
energy costs. D on't waste any o f th a t precious conditioned a i r ,
whether you pay fo r i t y o u rs e lf o f pay your landloard fo r i t .
CLOSE OFF UNOCCUPIED ROOMS and shut th e ir heat or
a ir-c o n d itio n in g vents; o r tu rn o f f room a ir-c o n d itio n e rs .
(This does not apply i f you have a.heat pump system.
Leave i t alone; s h u ttin g vents could harm a. heat pump.)
USE KITCHEN, BATH AND OTHER VENTILATING FANS SPARINGLY.
In ju s t one hour these fans can blow away a houseful o f
warmed or cooled a ir . Turn them o f f ju s t as soon as they
have done th e ir jo b .
KEEP YOUR FIREPLACE DAMPER CLOSED UNLESS YOU HAVE A. FIRE
GOING. And open damper in a 4 8 -inch square fire p la c e
can l e t up to 8 percent o f our heat out the chimney.
Heating Energy Savers
D on't tu rn the heat on u n til you have to . On cool evenings use
your fire p la c e instead and add a blanket a t n ig h t.
IF YOU USE ELECTRIC FURNACE HEATING, CONSIDER A HEAT PUMP
SYSTEM. The heat pump uses thermal energy from outside
a ir fo r both heating and c o o lin g . Costs fo r these pumps
run from about $2,000 fo r a whole-house u n it to about
47
$425 fo r room s iz e . But they can cut your use o f e le c t r ic it y
fo r heating by 30-40% and also can provide some savings
in cooling costs.
IF YOU PLAN TO BUY A NEW GAS HEATING SYSTEM, ask your gas
u t i l i t y or p u b lic service commission about the savings
p o te n tia l o f e le c tro n ic ig n it io n . Ask also about
p o s s ib ilitie s fo r r e t r o f i t t in g the system you may already
own.
CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES OF A CLOCK THERMOSTAT FOR YOUR
HEATING SYSTEM. The clock therm ostat w i l l tu rn the heat
down fo r you a u to m a tic a lly a t a re g u la r hour before, you
r e t ir e and tu rn i t up again before you wake. While you
can e a s ily tu rn your therm ostat back a t n ig h t and up again
in the morning y o u rs e lf, the convenience o f a clock thermo­
s ta t may be worth the $70 to $90 cost to you.
CONSIDER BUYING A PROPERLY SIZED FURNACE THAT INCORPORATES
AN AUTOMATIC FLUE GAS DAMPER. This device reduces the loss
o f heat when the furnace is o f f .
(Contact your gas u t i l i t y
o r o i l s u p p lie r fo r guidance.)
DON'T USE YOUR FIREPLACE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL HEATING WHEN
YOUR FURNACE IS ON unless you take one o f the measures
suggested below to lessen the loss o f heated a ir from the
house. The warmth from a f i r e on the hearth g e n e ra lly
d o esn't ra d ia te through the house; the heat gain is
confined to the room w ith the fire p la c e . And when your
furnace is on, to o , a considerable amount o f heated a ir
from the re s t o f the house flow s in to the fire p la c e and
goes w a s te fu lly up the chimney. Then the temperature in
oth er rooms o f the house goes down, and the furnace uses
more fu e l to ra is e i t up to the le v e l c o n tro led by the
therm ostat. So you use more fu e l ra th e r than le s s , when
the furnace and fire p la c e are both going.
Lessen heat loss when you use your fire p la c e when the furnace is
on:
LOWER THE THERMOSTAT SETTING TO 50-55 DEGREES. Some warmed
a ir w i l l s t i l l be lo s t , but the furnace w on 't have to use
as much fu e l to heat the re s t o f the house to these
temperatures as i t would to ra is e the heat to 65 degrees.
48
CLOSE ALL DOORS AND WARM AIR DUCTS ENTERING THE ROOM WITH
THE FIREPLACE AND OPEN A WINDOW NEAR THE FIREPLACE ABOUT
1/2 TO ONE INCH. A ir needed by the f i r e w i l l be provided
through the open window and the amount o f heated a ir drawn
from the re s t o f the house w i l l be reduced.
IF YOU HAVE A SIMPLE OPEN MASONRY FIREPLACE, CONSIDER
INSTALLING A GLASS FRONT OR A GLASS SCREEN. This w ill
cu t down on the loss o f warmed a ir through the flu e .
When the heat is on . . .
LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT TO 65 DEGREES DURING THE DAY AND 55
DEGREES AT NIGHT. You can save about 3 percent on your fu e l
costs fo r energy degree you reduce the average temperature
in your home. In a d d itio n , you can save about one percent
on your heating b i l l s fo r every degree you d ia l down only
a t n ig h t.
KEEP WINDOWS NEAR YOUR THERMOSTAT TIGHTLY CLOSED, otherwise
i t w i l l keep your furnace working a fte r the re s t o f the
room has reached a com fortable temperature.
HAVE YOUR OIL FURNACE SERVICED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, pre­
fe ra b ly each summer to take advantage o f off-season ra te s .
This simple precaution could save you 10 percent in fuel
consumption.
CLEAN OR REPLACE THE FILTER IN YOUR FORCED-AIR HEATING
SYSTEM EACH MONTH.
CHECK THE DUCT WORK FOR AIR LEAKS ABOUT ONCE A YEAR IF YOU
HAVE A FORCED-AIR HEATING SYSTEM. To do t h is , fe e l around
the duct jo in t s f o r escaping a ir when the fan is on.
R e la tiv e ly small leaks can be repaired sim ply by covering
holes or cracks w ith duct tape. More stubborn problems
may re q u ire caulking as w ell as ta p in g . You could save
almost 9 percent in heating fu e l th is way.
IF YOU HAVE OIL HEAT, CHECK TO SEE IF THE FIRING RATE IS
CORRECT. Chances are i t i s n 't . A recent survey found th a t
97 percent o f the furnaces checked were o v e rfire d .
49
DON'T LET COLD AIR SEEP INTO YOUR HOME THROUGH THE ATTIC
ACCESS DOOR. Check the door to make sure i t is w ell
in su la te d and w eatherstripped, otherwise y o u 'll be wasting
fu e l to heat th a t cool a ir .
DUST OR VACUUM RADIATOR.SURFACES FREQUENTLY. Dust and
grimeimpede the flo w o f heat. And i f the ra d ia to r needs
p a in tin g , use f l a t p a in t, p re fe ra b le black. I t radiates
heat b e tte r than glossy.
KEEP DRAPERIES AND SHADES OPEN IN SUNNY WINDOWS; CLOSE THEM
AT NIGHT.
FOR COMFORT IN COOLER INDOOR TEMPERATURES, USE THE BEST
INSULATION OF ALL--WARM CLOTHING. The human body gives
o f f heat, about 390 B tu 's per hour fo r a man and 330 fo r
a woman. Dressing w ise ly can help you re ta in natural heat.
Wear c lo s e ly woven fa b ric s . They add a t le a s t a h a lf a
degree in warmth.
Hot Water Energy Savers
Heating water accounts fo r about 20 percent o f a ll the energy we
use in our homes. D on't waste i t .
REPAIR LEAKY FAUCETS PROMPTLY. One drop a second can waste
as much as 60 gallons o f hot o r cold water in a week.
DO AS MUCH HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AS POSSIBLE WITH COLD WATER.
INSULATE YOUR HOT WATER STORAGE TANK AND PIPING.
Water Heaters
E n e rg y -e ffic ie n t water heaters may cost a l i t t l e more i n i t i a l l y ,
but reduced operating costs over a period o f time can more than make
up fo r the higher o u tla y .
BUY A WATER HEATER WITH THICK INSULATION ON THE SHELL.
While the i n i t i a l cost may be more than one w ith o u t th is
conservation fe a tu re , the savings in energy costs over the
years w i l l more than repay you.
ADD INSULATION AROUND THE WATER HEATER YOU NOW HAVE IF .
IT'S INADEQUATELY INSULATED, but be sure not to block o f f
needed a ir vents. That would create a s a fe ty hazard,
e s p e c ia lly w ith o i l and gas water heaters. When in doubt,
get professio nal help. When p ro p e rly done, you should save
about $15 a year in energy costs.
CHECK THE TEMPERATURE ON YOUR WATER HEATER. Most water
heaters are set f o r 140° F. o r h ig her, but you may not
need water th a t hot unless you have a dishwasher. A
s e ttin g o f 120 degrees can provide adequate hot water
f o r most fa m ilie s .
I f you reduce the temperature from 140° to 120°, you
could save over 18% o f the energy you use a t the higher
s e ttin g . Even reducing the s e ttin g 10 degrees w i l l save
you more than 6% in water heating energy.
DON'T LET SEDIMENT BUILD UP IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR HOT
WATER HEATER, i t lowers the h e a te r's e ffic ie n c y and
wastes energy. About once a month, flu s h the sediment
out by drawing several buckets o f water from the tank
through the water heater d ra in fa u ce t.
Kitchen Energy Savers
USE COLD WATER RATHER THAN HOT TO OPERATE YOUR FOOD DISPOSER.
This saves the energy needed to heat the w ater, is recom­
mended f o r the appliance, and aids in g e ttin g r id o f
grease. Grease s o lid if ie s in cold water and can be ground
up and washed away.
INSTALL AN AERATOR IN YOUR KITCHEN SINK FAUCET. By reducing
the amount o f water in the flo w , you use less hot water
and save the energy th a t would have been required to heat
i t . The lower flo w pressure is hardly n o tic e a b le .
IF YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A GAS OVEN OR RANGE, LOOK FOR ONE
WITH AN AUTOMATIC (ELECTRONIC) IGNITION SYSTEM INSTEAD OF
PILOT LIGHTS. Y o u 'll save an average o f up to 47% o f your
gas use—41% in the oven and 53% on the top burners.
51
IF YOU HAVE A GAS STOVE, MAKE SURE THE PILOT LIGHT IS
BURNING EFFICIENTLY—w ith a blue flame. A y e llo w is h flame
in d ic a te s an adjustment is needed.
NEVER BOIL WATER IN AN OPEN PAN. Water w i l l come to a
b o il fa s te r and use less energy in a k e ttle o r covered pan.
KEEP RANGE-TOP BURNERS AND REFLECTORS CLEAN. They w ill
r e f le c t the heat b e tte r, and you w i l l save energy.
MATCH THE SIZE OF PAN TO THE HEATING ELEMENT. More
heat w i l l get to the pan; less w i l l be lo s t to surrounding
a ir .
IF YOU COOK WITH ELECTRICITY, GET IN THE HABIT OF TURNING
OFF THE BURNERS SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE ALLOTTED COOKING
TIME. The heating element w i l l stay hot long enough to
f in is h the cooking fo r you w ith o u t using more e le c t r ic it y .
WHEN USING THE OVEN, MAKE THE MOST OF THE HEAT FROM THAT
SINGLE SOURCE. Cook as many foods as you can a t one tim e.
Prepare dishes th a t can be stored or frozed fo r la te r use
or make a ll over-cooked meals.
WATCH THE CLOCK OR USE A TIMER; d o n 't c o n tin u a lly open the
oven door to check food. Every time you open the door
heat excapes and you cooking rakes more energy.
USE SMALL ELECTRIC PANS OR OVENS FOR SMALL MEALS ra th e r .
than the kitchen range o r oven. They use less evergy.
USE PRESSURE COOKERS AND MICRO-WAVE OVENS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
They can save energy by reducing cooking tim e.
Dishwashing Energy Savers
The average dishwasher uses 14 gallons o f hot water per load.
Use i t energy e f f ic ie n t ly .
BE SURE YOUR DISHWASHER IS FULL, but not overloaded, when
you tu rn i t on.
52
WHEN BUYING A DISHWASHER, LOOK FOR A MODEL WITH AIR-POWER
AND/OR OVERNIGHT DRY SETTINGS. These features a u to m a tic a lly
tu rn o f f the dishwasher a fte r the rin s e cycle . This can
save you up to 1/3 o f your to ta l dishwashing energy costs.
LET YOUR DISHES AIR DRY. I f you d o n 't have an automatic
a ir - d r y sw itch , tu rn o f f the c o n tro l knob a fte r, the fin a l
rin s e . Prop the door open a l i t t l e and the dishes w ill
dry fa s te r.
DON'T USE THE "RINSE HOLD" ON YOUR MACHINE.
7 gallons o f hot water each time you use i t .
I t uses 3 to
SCRAPE DISHES BEFORE LOADING THEM INTO THE DISHWASTER so
you w on 't have to rin s e them. I f they need rin s in g , use
cold w ater.
How to Save E le c t r ic it y Before i t Comes to You
During la te afternoon and e a rly evening hours the load on the
N a tio n 's e le c tr ic a l systems u su a lly reaches its .p e a k . To meet the.
heavy demand, e le c tr ic u t i l i t i e s o fte n must use back-up generating
equipment th a t is not energy e f f ic ie n t .
. Try to use e n e rg y-inte nsive appliances such as dishwashers,
clotheswashers, and d rye rs, and e le c tr ic ovens in the e a rly
morning to help reduce th a t peakload.
R e frig e ra to r/F re e z e r Energy Savers
DON'T KEEP YOUR REFRIGERATOR OR FREEZER TOO COLD. Recom­
mended temperatures: 38-40° fo r the fresh food compartment
o f the r e f r ig e r a t o r ; .5° fo r the fre e z e r se ctio n .
IF YOU'RE BUYING A REFRIGERATOR, IT 'S ENERGY ECONOMICAL TO
BUY ONE WITH A POWER-SAVER SWITCH. Most re frig e ra to rs have
heating elements in th e ir w a lls or doors to prevent
"sweating" on the o u tsid e . In most c lim a te s, the heating
element does not need to be working a ll the tim e. The
power-saver sw itch turns o f f the heating element. By
using i t , you could save about 16% in r e fr ig e r a to r energy
costs.
53
CONSIDER BUYING REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS THAT HAVE TO BE
DEFROSTED MANUALLY. Although they take more e f f o r t to
d e fro s t, these appliances use less energy than those
th a t d e fro s t a u to m a tic a lly .
REGULARLY DEFROST MANUAL-DEFROST REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS.
Frost b u ild -u p increases the amount o f energy needed to
keep the engine running. Never allow f r o s t to b u ild up
more than 1/4 inch.
MAKE SURE YOUR REFRIGERATOR DOOR SEALS ARE AIRTIGHT. Test
them by c lo sin g the door over a piece o f paper or a d o lla r
b i l l so i t is h a lf in and h a lf out o f the r e fr ig e r a to r .
I f you can p u ll the paper o r b i l l out e a s ily , the la tc h
may need adjustment or the seal may need re p la c in g .
Laundry Energy Savers
You can save considerable amounts o f energy in the laundry through
conservation o f hot water and by using your automatic washers and
dryers less o fte n and more e f f ic ie n t ly .
WASH CLOTHES IN WARM OR COLD WATER, RINSE IN COLD. Y o u 'll
save energy and money. Use hot water only i f a b solute ly
necessary.
Washing Machines
FILL WASHERS (unless they have sm all-load attachments or
v a ria b le water le v e ls ) , but do not overload them.
USE THE SUDS SAVER IF YOU HAVE ONE. I t w i l l allow you
to use one tu b fu l o f hot water fo r several loads.
PRE-SOAK OR USE A SOAK CYCLE WHEN WASHING HEAVILY SOILED
GARMENTS. Y o u 'll avoid two washings and save energy.
L ig h tin g Energy Savers
More than 16% o f the e le c t r ic it y we use in our homes goes in to
lig h t in g . Most American o v e rlig h t th e ir homes, so low ering lig h tin g
le v e ls is an easy conservation measure.
54
Indoor L ig h tin g
LIGHT-ZONE YOUR HOME AND SAVE ELECTRICITY. Concentrate
lig h t in g in reading and working areas and where i t ' s needed
f o r s a fe ty . Reduce lig h tin g in oth er areas, but avoid
very sharp co n tra s ts ;
TO REDUCE OVERALL LIGHTING IN NON-WORKING SPACES, remove
one bulb out o f three in m u ltip le l ig h t fix tu r e s and
replace i t w ith a burned-out bulb fo r s a fe ty . Replace
o th e r bulbs throughout the house w ith bulbs o f the next
lower wattage.
CONSIDER INSTALLING SOLID STATE DIMMERS OR HI-LOW SWITCHES
when re p la cin g l ig h t switches. They make i t easy to reduce
lig h tin g in te n s ity in a room and thus save energy.
USE ONE LARGE BULB INSTEAD OF SEVERAL SMALL ONES IN AREAS
WHERE BRIGHT LIGHT IS NEEDED.
USE LONG-LIFE INCANDESCENT LAMPS ONLY IN HARD-TO-REACH
PLACES. They are less energy e f f ic ie n t than o rd in a ry bulbs.
Appliance Energy Savers
Energy e ffic ie n c y may vary considerably though models seem s im ila r
In the next few years i t w i l l be ea sie r to judge the energy e ffic ie n c y
o f appliances w ith the Government's appliance la b e lin g program. In the
meantime, wise s e le c tio n requires a degree o f time and e f f o r t .
DON'T LEAVE YOUR APPLIANCES RUNNING WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN USE.
I t ' s a to ta l waste o f energy. Remember to tu rn o f f your
ra d io , TV, o r record pla yer when you leave the room.
KEEP APPLIANCES IN GOOD WORKING ORDER so they w i l l la s t
lo n g e r, work more e f f ic ie n t ly , and use less energy.
WHEN BUYING APPLIANCES, COMPARISON SHOP. Compare energy ■'
use in fo rm a tio n and operating costs o f s im ila r models by
the same and d iffe r e n t manufacturers. The r e t a ile r should
be able to help you fin d the wattage o f the appliance.
. With th a t in fo rm a tio n , and the l i s t o f appliances given
p re v io u s ly , you should be able to fig u re out how much i t
w i l l cost you to run the appliance you choose.
55
BEFORE BUYING NEW APPLIANCES WITH SPECIAL FEATURES, FIND
OUT HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY USE COMPARED WITH OTHER, PERHAPS
LESS CONVENIENT, MODELS. A fr o s t- fr e e r e fr ig e r a to r , fo r
example, uses more energy than one you have to d e fro s t
manually. I t also costs more to purchase. The energy and
c o lla r s you save w ith a m anual-defrost model may be worth
g iv in g up the convenience.
USE APPLIANCES WISELY; Use the one th a t takes the le a s t
amount o f energy f o r the jo b . For example: to a s tin g
bread in the oven uses three times more energy than to a s tin g
i t in the to a s te r.
DON'T USE ENERGY-CONSUMING SPECIAL FEATURES ON YOUR APPLIANCES
IF YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE. For example, d o n 't use the
"in s ta n t-o n " fe a tu re o f your TV s e t. "In s ta n t-o n " sets
e s p e c ia lly the tube types, use energy even when the screen
is dark. Use the "vacation s w itc h ", i f you have one, to
e lim in a te th is waste; plug the set in to an o u tle t th a t is
c o n tro lle d by a w all sw itch; or have your TV serviceman
in s t a ll an a d d itio n a l o n -o ff sw itch on the set i t s e l f or
in the cord to the w all o u tle t.
B u ild in g or Buying a Home
CONSIDER A SQUARE FLOOR PLAN. I t u s u a lly is more energy
e f f ic ie n t than a re ctang ular plan.
INSULATE WALLS AND ROOF TO THE HIGHEST SPECIFICATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR AREA.
INSULATE FLOORS, TOO, ESPECIALLY THOSE OVER CRAWL SPACES,
COLD BASEMENTS, AND GARAGES.
IF THE BASE OF A HOUSE IS EXPOSED AS IN THE CASE OF A
MOBILE HOME, BUILD A "SKIRT" AROUND IT.
INSTALL LOUVERED PANELS OR WIND-POWERED ROOF VENTILATORS
ra th e r than m otor-driven fans to v e n tila te the a t t ic .
Only use a m o tor-driven fan i f i t can be used fo r wholehouse v e n tila tin g during cool periods.
56
CONSIDER SOLAR HEAT GAIN WHEN YOU PLAN YOUR WINDOW LOCATIONS.
In cool clim a te s , in s t a ll fewer windows in the north w all
because th e re 's l i t t l e s o la r heat gain there in w in te r.
In warm clim a te s , put the la rg e s t number o f windows in the
north and east w a lls to reduce heating from the sun.
INSTALL WINDOWS YOU CAN OPEN so you can use natura l or
fa n -fo rce d v e n tila tio n in moderate weather.
USE DOUBLE-PANE GLASS THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. Windows w ith
double-pane h e a t-re fle c tin g ro heat-absorbing glass provide
a d d itio n a l energy savings, e s p e c ia lly in south and west
exposures.
PLACE YOUR REFRIGERATOR IN THE COOLEST PART OF THE KITCHEN,
w ell away from the range and oven.
INSTALL THE WATER HEATER AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO AREAS OF
MAJOR USE to m inim ize heat loss through the pipes; in s u la te
the pipes.
IF YOU LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE, REMEMBER THAT LIGHT-COLORED
ROOFING CAN HELP KEEP HOUSES COOLER.
When Buying a Home
CONSIDER ALL THE IDEAS MENTIONED FOR BUILDING A HOUSE.
ASK FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE INSULATION AND DATA ON THE
EFFICIENCY OF SPACE HEATING, AIR-CONDITIONING, AND WATER
HEATING PLANTS, o r have an independent engineer advise
you about the e ffic ie n c y o f the equipment. Ask to see
the u t i l i t y b i l l s from the previous year but remember
to a d ju st them fo r c u rre n t u t i l i t y ra te s . Even some new
houses d o n 't have in s u la tio n in the e x te rio r w a lls . Be
sure to check.
CONSIDER THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INSULATION OR REPLACEMENT
OF EQUIPMENT. I f improvements are necessary, you may want
to seek an adjustment in the purchase p ric e to cover a l l ,
or a reasonable share, o f the costs.
57
On the road
There are more than 100 m illio n re g is te re d automobiles in
the .United S tates. A ty p ic a l c a r, w ith an average fu e l economy o f
less than 15 m iles per g a llo n , tra v e ls about 10,000 m iles each year
and uses w ell over 650 gallons o f gasoline.
A lto g e th e r, our p riv a te automobiles consume some 70 b i llio n
gallo ns o f gasoline each year. T h at's about 4.5 m illio n b a rre ls a
day o r about tw o -th ird s o f the amount o f petroleum c u rre n tly being
imported in to the United S tates.
The importance o f in d iv id u a l gasoline savings cannot be over­
emphasized. I f , fo r example, the fu e l used by the average car were
reduced ju s t 15 percent through fewer d a ily t r ip s , b e tte r d riv in g
p ra c tic e s , and b e tte r maintenance, the N a tio n 's use o f petroleum
would f a l l by nearly 2/3 o f a m illio n b a rre ls per day, o r about
3.5% o f demand.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, A MOTORCYCLE, A MOPED, OR
A BICYCLE, OR WALK TO WORK.
SHARE YOUR RIDE. Join a carpool or a vanpool. About 1/3
o f a ll p riv a te automobile mileage is fo r commuting to and from work.
GO SHOPPING WITH A NEIGHBOR OCCASIONALLY. I f the average
occupancy (c u rre n tly 1.3 people per commuter) were increased by
ju s t one person, each commuter would reduce his co sts, energy
consumption, and d riv in g s tre s s . And the nationwide gasoline savingswhich would reduce our re lia n c e on more expensive im ports—would be
more than 600,000 b a rre ls per day.
ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY TRIPS. Can you fin d one d riv in g
t r i p per week th a t could be handled by telephone or combined w ith
another tr ip ? I f every automobile took ju s t one less 10 m ile t r i p
a week, the Nation would save 32 b i l l i o n gallons o f gas a yea r, or
ne a rly 5% o f the to ta l passenger car demand fo r gas.
M aintaining Your Car
HAVE YOUR CAR TUNED as recommended by the manufacturer.
Regular tune-ups extend engine l i f e and improve performance. A
po orly tuned car could use as much as 3-9% more gasoline than a
w e ll-tu n e d one. The tune-up w i l l pay fo r i t s e l f in gasoline savings
and car r e l i a b i l i t y .
58
KEEP THE ENGINE FILTERS CLEAN.
Clogged f i l t e r s waste
gasoline.
USE THE GASOLINE OCTANE AND OIL GRADE recommended fo r
your car. I f you change the o il y o u rs e lf, take the used o il to your
se rvice s ta tio n f o r re c y c lin g .
CHECK TIRE PRESSURES REGULARLY. U nd erinfla ted tir e s increase
gas use. You can lose about two percent in fu e l economy fo r energy
pound o f pressure under the recommended pounds per-square-inch.
CONSIDER RADIAL TIRES. They can mean from 3-5% improvement
in gas mileage in the c i t y , 7% on the highway and 10% a t 55 mph a fte r
the t ir e s are warmed up fo r 20 minutes. And they la s t lo n g e r, too.
Never mix r a d ia ls w ith conventional t ir e s .
REMOVE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT FROM THE CAR. The lig h t e r the ca r,
the less gas i t uses. And extra 100 pounds decreases fu e l economy
about 1% f o r the average ca r, I 1/4% fo r small cars.
Buying a Car
STUDY THE MARKET BEFORE YOU BUY. Ask your d e a le r, fo r the
la te s t EPA/FEA "Gas Mileage Guide." Study the fu e l economy fig u re s
and tables th a t compare s p e c ific a tio n s . Review mileage te s t re s u lts
p u b licize d by Consumers Union magazine. Generally the best fue l
economy is associated w ith low v e h ic le w eigh t, small engines, manual
transm issions, low axle r a tio n , and low fro n ta l area (th e w idth of
the car times i t s h e ig h t.)
BUY THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT CAR OF THE SIZE AND STYLE
YOU WANT. D on't l e t the car p ric e alone determine your choice. Make
your decision on the basis o f the combination o f purchase p ric e and
your estim ated fu e l costs.
PURCHASE ONLY THE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES YOU
REALLY NEED. Items lik e a ir- c o n d itio n in g , automatic transm ission,
and power ste e rin g re q u ire considerable energy, a ll o f which is
derived from burning gasoline. Other equipment, such as power brakes,
e le c tr ic m otor-driven windows, seats and ra d io antennas, re q u ire less
energy fo r th e ir o p e ra tio n , but a ll accessories add to the ve h icle
weight-r-and th is reduces fu e l economy.
59
. DON'T BUY AN AIR-CONDITIONER UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED IT.
Even when y o u 're not using i t , i t adds to the weight o f the car.
Taking Vacations
VACATION AT HOME THIS YEAR.
Discover nearby a ttr a c tio n s .
CHOOSE A HOTEL OR CAMPGROUND CLOSE TO WHERE YOU LIVE. A
nearby hotel o r campground ofte n can provide as complete and happy a
change from ro u tin e as one th a t is hundreds o f m iles away.
STAY IN ONE PLACE i f you vacation away from home.
around" takes tra n s p o rta tio n energy.
TAKE A TRAIN OR BUS INSTEAD OF THE FAMILY CAR.
"Hopping
Save gasoline
and re la x .
REDISCOVER THE PLEASURES OF WALKING, HIKING, AND BICYCLING
DURING YOUR VACATION. They're the most energy-conserving means o f
tra n s p o rta tio n and the h e a lth ie s t fo r most people.
SAVE ENERGY AT HOME IF YOU'RE GOING AWAY.
o f f lig h t s , lower heating temperatures in w in te r. .
Remember to tu rn
In the Marketplace
TRY TO BUY PRODUCTS THAT WILL LAST. More durable products
save the energy th a t would be required to make replacements more o fte n .
BUY EQUIPMENT OF THE BASIS OF INITIAL COST PLUS OPERATING
COSTS RATHER THAN ON THE BASIS OF PURCHASE PRICE ALONE. Often products
th a t are energy e f f ic ie n t cost more to buy. But over the life tim e o f
the equipment, you w i l l more than make up the d iffe re n c e in lower
operating costs.
WHEN SHOPPING FOR AN UNUSUAL ITEM, TELEPHONE AHEAD TO SEE
IF THE STORE HAS IT . I f i f d o e s n 't, you save the energy and time
o f tra v e lin g there and being disappointed.
BUY THE HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU. Purchasing
the r ig h t equipment fo r your home and needs, using i t w is e ly , and
ta kin g good care o f i t can reduce energy costs considerably.
60
BIGGER ISN'T NECESSARILY BETTER. D on't buy a la rg e r or
more powerful piece o f equipment than you need. Whether i t ' s a furnace,
a ir- c o n d itio n e r, o r water heater, make sure i t s size and power are
r ig h t f o r your home. Ask your d e a le r, a trade a s s o c ia tio n , or a
consum er-interest group fo r assistance in judging th is fa c to r.
NOTE: From "Energy Use in the United S ta te s ," by the Federal
Energy A d m in is tra tio n , Tips fo r Energy Savers, 1977, 6-46. Copyright
permission given to anyone who desires to reproduce the m a te ria l in
any manner.
61
A ttitu d e Studies and Energy Conservation
According to modern th e o ris ts such as S h e rif and C a n tr il,
a ttitu d e s are comprised o f three components:
actions (Chisman, 1976).
domain.
fe e lin g s , b e lie fs , and
Feelings are derived from the a ffe c tiv e
Feelings are measurable in terms o f blood pressure and galvanic
skin re fle x e s and/or verbal expression.
c o g n itiv e domain.
an o b je c t.
B e lie fs are derived from the
C ognition requires both knowledge and b e lie f about
C ognition is measurable, in one sense, in terms o f what are
good q u a litie s and what are bad q u a litie s about the o b je c t.
Therefore,
in order fo r the a ttitu d e to develop, an o b je c t must have enough
s ig n ific a n c e to the person to re q u ire e va lu a tio n .
The evaluation o f
the o b je c t ( i f fa vo ra b le ) w i l l endure over time w ith consistency.
In
fa c t , because the p e rs o n 's .fe e lin g s and b e lie fs continue, to p e rs is t
w ith the same degree o f favorableness, the person w i l l most lik e ly take
a ctio n s to support these c o n sis te n t fe e lin g s and b e lie fs .
In the given in v e s tig a tio n , the in v e s tig a to r has proposed to
measure these components o f a ttitu d e s .
The domain o f fe e lin g s has been
presumed and th e re fo re was not measured.
W ritte n -in comments by the
respondents suggests th a t reading the questions e l i c i t s the re a ctio n o f
blood pressure change and galvanic skin response change.
Discussion
about the questions before the w ritte n response was s im ila r ly in fe rre d .
C ognition was more e ffe c tiv e ly appraised.
On a scale o f one to fo u r,
the subjects were requested to evaluate good and bad q u a litie s about
62
the o b je c t.
In th is in v e s tig a tio n , the o b je c t was represented by
proposed'energy p o lic ie s which suggest c e rta in actions fa m ilie s may take
to conserve energy.
The degree o f knowledge the respondent holds about
the p o lic y in question determines his a ttitu d e to some e xte n t.
S im il­
a r ly , the b e lie fs the respondent holds about the p o lic y according to the
p o lic y 's good or. bad q u a litie s measures his a ttitu d e to some extent.
One cannot assume th a t the a ttitu d e s which are revealed by the
in v e s tig a tio n are any more than expressive a ttitu d e s a t th is p o in t in
tim e.
La ter actions by the subjects w ill reveal the degree to which
a ttitu d e s expressed in th is in v e s tig a tio n were made a m a tter o f,p ra c tic e .
According to Chisman, c e rta in psychologists (C a n tril and Smith,
Bruner, W hite, Campbell) f i r s t analyzed behavior to a sce rtain a ttitu d e s .
These psychologists propose th a t from a sta b le c o n fig u ra tio n or system,
behavior becomes more organized and develops.
Goals and values held by
the sub ject m otivate the sub ject to become more organized.
These goals
and values, as submitted by Al I p o rt (Chisman), are always in a s ta te o f
readiness.
Therefore, because the values and b e lie fs e x is t in a s ta te
o f readiness, the behavior w i l l most li k e l y be c o n s is te n t over time.
In regard to the energy in v e s tig a tio n , these b e h a v io ris ts would
claim th a t actions fa m ilie s take can most e ffe c tiv e ly evaluate th e ir
fa m ily a ttitu d e .
By a ctin g upon the energy p o lic ie s , behavior becomes
organized as goals and values are in te rn a liz e d .
The s p e c ific actio n the
fa m ilie s designate they w i l l choose is demonstrative o f fa m ily "s ta te o f
63
readiness".
Because the s ta te o f readiness required a c tio n , a ttitu d e s
about the degree o f favorableness toward the p o lic y are c le a rly d e te r­
mined.
Other psychologists claim th a t the re la tio n s h ip o f psychological
e n titie s more c le a rly demonstrated a ttitu d e s or example, i f the subject
is labeled w ith an a ttitu d e , such as a negative a ttitu d e about govern­
ment in v e s tig a tio n to suggest home energy savers, th is in d ic a tio n .o f
a ttitu d e does not mean his b e lie f about the p o lic y is co n siste n t w ith
his fe e lin g s .
The respondent may not fa v o r the p o lic y through his
fe e lin g s , but in b e lie f may support a more knowledgeable home a u d it
through government in te rv e n tio n .
In the fu tu re , the s u b je c t's fe e lin g s
may become more in c o n s is te n t w ith b e lie fs .
For example, in his fe e lin g s
the sub ject may now oppose re lo c a tin g his home c lo s e r to his work to
save energy, y e t the sub ject may belie ve th a t such a change may be
necessary i f gas price s increase te n fo ld in s ix years.
As prices r is e ,
his fe e lin g s may be co n siste n t w ith a favorable a ttitu d e toward moving,
knowing th a t gas price s may continue to r is e .
In tim e , the s u b je c t's
fe e lin g s may become more and more co n siste n t w ith b e lie fs so th a t the
a ttitu d e w i l l , o f n e ce ssity, change.
the b e lie f.
The a ttitu d e is co n siste n t w ith
Because o f the alignment o f psychological fo rc e which forms
the a ttitu d e , fe e lin g s and b e lie fs a lig n themselves w ith the actions
needed.
64
Psychologists also claim th a t present s itu a tio n s or circumstances
a lt e r e va lu a tio n , y e t a ttitu d e s w i l l not be a lte re d by s itu a tio n s .
For
example, lu xu ry cars a t the present time symbolize status in the Amer­
ican c u ltu re .
Therefore, r e s tr ic tio n s on gas mileage may be viewed by
the respondent as unfavorable.
High gas p rice s may a lt e r his evaluation
o f the p o lic y , y e t the respondent's a ttitu d e may y e t fa v o r lu x u ry ,
com fort, and s ta tu s .
Chisman says th is about the persistence o f a t t i t ­
ude, "We might say th a t the behavior o f an in d iv id u a l who has an a t t i t ­
ude is determined by some psychological fa c to r which he brings to
d iffe r e n t circum stances, ra th e r than by some c h a ra c te ris tic o f those
s itu a tio n s " (1976, p. 32).
The tendency to support o r oppose the p o lic y proposal can occur fo r
d iffe r e n t reasons.
F ir s t o f a l l , the respondent may oppose the p o lic y
because o f his fe e lin g s .
As a r e s u lt, the respondent would fin d b e lie fs
to support th is d is lik e .
For example, p ric e increases to con trol
p o llu tio n by the u t i l i t y in d u s try may e l i c i t negative fe e lin g s .
The
respondent would p in -p o in t supportive lit e r a t u r e to re in fo rc e his
negative fe e lin g s , and in doing so, he would in flu e n ce his b e lie fs .
Second, the respondent may a c t, fo r example, to buy a s o la r-h e a tin g u n it
as a tax c r e d it, and then la te r develop b e lie fs and fe e lin g s to support
the a c tio n .
In a ttitu d e measurement, opinions are often mistaken fo r a ttitu d e s .
However, opinions do not o fte n p e rs is t over time as a ttitu d e s do.
An
65
opinion is measured as an a ttitu d e i f the opinion is co n siste n t over a
sh o rt period o f tim e.
Thurstone uses the opinion as, a method o f assign­
ing a ttitu d e s (Chisman, 1976).
From a group o f e v a lu a tiv e statements
which Thurstone provides in a q u e stio n n a ire , c lu s te rin g appears about
c e rta in points o f the scale.
The c lu s te r measures a co n siste n t e v a l­
uation o f the o b je ct and is th e re fo re an a ttitu d e .
The questionniare
designed by the in v e s tig a tio n , th e re fo re , measures opinions o f in d iv ­
id u a ls , y e t a ttitu d e s o f the community.
Guttman measures a ttitu d e s through a serie s o f e v a lu a tiv e s ta te ­
ments (Chisman).
Those persons who hold the most favorable a ttitu d e s
in d ic a te more p o s itiv e than negative responses.
A ttitu d e measurement does not ne ce ssa rily measure a ttitu d e in te n ­
s it y .
A ttitu d e in te n s ity , o r the depth o f fe e lin g about the a ttitu d e ,
varie s according to the d is lik e o r lik e fo r ,th e o b je c t and is not
n e ce ssa rily the same as the content o f the a ttitu d e .
In order to
measure a ttitu d e s e f f ic ie n t ly , both componets, content and in te n s ity ,
must be determined.
In the present in v e s tig a tio n , content and in te n s ity
were both assessed.
Many researchers have studied how a ttitu d e s can be changed.
F ir s t
o f a l l , in 1974 Hollander suggested th a t a precommunicative warning
would change an a ttitu d e so th a t the a ttitu d e became fa vo ra b le .
His
study supports the fin d in g s o f McGuire and MiTlman who found th a t a
person who regards the o th e r person as an a u th o rity on a to p ic or p o lic y
66
w i l l change his own p o s itio n to the same p o s itio n the a u th o rity holds in
order to p ro te c t self-esteem (H olla nde r, 1974).
An energy exp e rt who
demonstrated s o la r-h e a tin g systems in L ivin g sto n may reverse the a t t i t ­
ude o f less informed re sid en ts who were d e f in it e ly opposed to the
exchange from gas and e le c t r ic it y .
Second, in 1976 Sogin and Poliak
suggested th a t bad decisions can a lt e r a ttitu d e s .
These researchers
claimed th a t i f the event were perceived by the a ttitu d e holder as
caused by h im se lf, the a ttitu d e holder would most lik e ly assume the
re s p o n s ib ility fo r the event.
Sogin and P oliak say th is about bad
decisions and a ttitu d e change, "In s h o rt, one fe e ls responsible fo r an
unforseen or unpredicted negative consequence providing th a t in looking
backward, the in d iv id u a l perceives th a t p r io r actions on his pa rt
brought about the negative consequences" (1976, p. 302).
As c itiz e n s
are required or urged to make home changes, they w i l l more lik e ly see
the event as orginated by themselves and assume re s p o n s ib ility fo r
g re a te r home changes.
In 1975, Kerr e t. a l . described how a ttitu d e
changes in group members as a r e s u lt o f group a ttitu d e s .
With the
exception o f opinion and so cia l judgements, groups often represent the
median p o s itio n .
As d iffe r e n t views are presented, group members are
persuaded to assume the p o s itio n oth er members fa v o r.
Yet, the average
view accepted by the group represents the p o p u la rity o f the opinion
i t s e l f and is a concern o f the community as a whole.
I f a ll United
States c itiz e n s are urged to purchase gas economy cars, those who
67
s lig h t ly disagree w ith the p o lic y may change th e ir a ttitu d e to the
o v e ra ll group a ttitu d e .
Precommunicative.warning, re s p o n s ib ility fo r.
bad d e cisio n s, and group persuasion are only three o f many ways a t t i ­
tudes are changed.
In 1975, Haus and Eagles s a id , " I f consumers can be persuaded to
reduce energy consumption, then numerous personal and s o c ie ta l b e n e fits
can be re a liz e d " (p. 756).
This conservation p r in c ip le , the researchers
suggest, is the concern o f the socia l s c ie n tis ts .
A plan o f action must
be o u tlin e d suggesting c e rta in consequences and re q u irin g an evaluation
o f these consequences.
For example, as fa m ilie s become aware o f the
energy c r is is through e ffo r ts o f the so cia l s c ie n tis ts , fa m ily a ttitu d e s
about conservation may change.
means o f coping w ith the c r is is .
This a ttitu d e change could provide the
68
Chapter 3
Methodology
Education, science, and government as the major in s titu tio n s o f the
United States are announcing the present and fu tu re energy c r is is to the
p u b lic .
P o lic ie s enacted w ith in these in s titu tio n s w i l l have impact on
the everyday l i f e o f United States c itiz e n s .
In order to study the
impact o f c e rta in p o lic ie s proposed by the government upon the social
u n it o f the fa m ily , a questionnaire was designed.
The questionnaire was
based upon proposed p o lic ie s from the fed era l government which might be
enacted in the fu tu re .
In order to study the impact o f energy p o lic ie s
on the fa m ily u n it, the methodology o f th is study follow ed three o u t­
lin e d o b je c tiv e s .
One o f these o b je c tiv e s was to study perception o f
fa m ily behavior in re la tio n to c e rta in selected p o lic ie s .
The second o f
these o b je ctive s was to analyze fa m ily conservation p ra ctice s in re la tio n
to c e rta in selected p o lic ie s .
F in a lly , c e rta in selected p o lic ie s were
tested against the demographic va ria b le s o f age, completed education,
sex, number o f c h ild re n liv in g a t home, and income, to in v e s tig a te
p o lic y impact against these selected v a ria b le s .
L iv in g s to n , Montana was preferred as the area f o r in v e s tig a tio n fo r
several reasons.
Near the c it y new in d u s try w ill soon develop natural
gas resources in the Crazy Mountains and in the T r a il Creek, Hoffman,
and Cokedale areas coal mining w i l l begin.
Government a u th o ritie s may
approve wind research p ro je c ts adjacent to the c it y .
F if t y m iles from
69
L ivin g sto n in Yellowstone National Park, geothermal sources may be
adapted fo r human use.
W ithin three hours o f automobile tra v e l time
from L ivin g sto n to the East, several o f the la rg e s t coal s trip -m in in g
s ite s in the nation are m u ltip ly in g the s ta te 's coal production.
Surrounded by th is resource development, s ta te re s id e n ts .a re becoming
aware o f the fa c t th a t the n a tio n , a t the present tim e, depends on
Montana's resources.
This dependency w i l l make or
has made the people
o f Montana more cognizant o f the fa c t th a t the energy c r is is is re a l.
However, L ivin g sto n is not the center o f mining in
Montana a t th is
moment.
the la rg e r population
Therefore, survey re s u lts could re la te to
more a p p ro p ria te ly than those survey re s u lts given in intense energy
development areas, such as Hardin, Montana.
In a d d itio n , L ivin g sto n and i t s in h a b ita n ts are w ell known to the
in q u ire r .
At the time o f th e sis proposal, the c it y was both the in v e s t­
ig a to r 's place o f residence and her hometown.
Some o f the teachers who
allowed qu estionnaire d is tr ib u tio n educated the in v e s tig a to r during her
secondary school years.
Two o f the researcher's re la tiv e s are on
L iv in g s to n 's teaching s t a f f .
For these several reasons, Living ston was
selected as the s ite f o r the study.
70
S election o f Sample
The sample o f th is study consisted o f 288 fa m ilie s w ith dependent
c h ild re n who are e n ro lle d in the schools o f L iv in g s to n , Montana.
The
questionnaire was d is trib u te d randomly to the e n tire school system o f
L ivin g sto n from elementary kindergarten through upper-level high school
The survey was given to ch ild re n to take home fo r th e ir parents to
complete and then returned by the c h ild to his teacher.
The fo llo w in g
fig u re s o u tlin e the d is tr ib u tio n o f the sample according to the t i t l e
given them:
71
Figure One.
Respondents
fa th e r
22 %
mother
55%
fa m ily 6%
fa th e r and mother
18%
72
F ig u re Two.
Age o f the P a r t i c ip a nt
Age 29 or under
Age 30-35
Age 35-39
Age 40-44
I f more than one person completed the q u e stio n n a ire , the age o f
the o ld e st was given.
73
Figure Three.
Education o f the P a r t i c i p a n t .
The person w ith the highest educational achievement was asked to
respond i f more than one person completed the question naire.
74
Figure Four.
C hild re n o f the Respondents.
The number o f c h ild re n liv in g at home was ind ica ted
75
Figure F iv e .
^
7%
Under $6000
Income o f t h e Respondent .
8%
$6000-9999
'
7%
Answer
Missing
$25,000 o r more
Combined Family income fo r 1977 was in d ica te d .
76
These several examined demographic v a ria b le s describe c e rta in
c h a ra c te ris tic s o f the whole sample popula tion.
Over 1/2 o f the sample
were mothers and about 3/4 o f those who p a rtic ip a te d in the sample were,
e ith e r mothers or fa th e rs .
Only 1/5 o f the to ta l sample answered the
survey as the combined u n it o f mother and fa th e r (see Figure I ) .
About
1/5 o f the p a rtic ip a tin g fa m ily household heads were 45 o r o ld e r and
almost 1/2 o f the sampled household heads were 34 o r younger (see Figure
2 ).
The m a jo rity o f household heads have e ith e r or both a high school
and/or colleg e education (see Figure 3 ).
Over 3/4 o f the surveyed
fa m ilie s have three or fewer c h ild re n (see Figure 4 ).
Most fa m ilie s
(75) who responded to the questionnaire earn incomes o f $10,000 dr more.
Over 1/2 o f the sampled population have an annual income o f $10,000- ;
$19,999. (see Figure 5 ).
Hence, most mothers o r fa th e rs who responded
were 34 years old o r younger.
The m a jo rity o f fa m ilie s are sm all,
in c lu d in g three or fewer c h ild re n .
Yet, most o f the sampled fa m ilie s
are middle income, although 1/4 o f the sampled population earn $20,000 a
year or more.
D e scrip tion o f the Sample Area
In Montana h is to ry , several e a rly events support an in v e s tig a tio n
o f present fa m ily perceptions o f the energy c r is is .
ground reveals several e n lig h te n in g fa c ts .
L iv in g s to n 's back-
F ir s t , those who o r ig in a lly
s e ttle d in the area derived th e ir liv e lih o o d from natural resources.
The fu r tra d e r chose to c a p ita liz e on Montana's resources in preference
77
to t i l l i n g
the s o il.
Amos Benson led the onset o f L ivin g sto n c i v i l ­
iz a tio n in 1873 through the establishm ent o f a fu r -tra d in g post.
Second,
a fte r science invented the steam engine, the ra ilro a d brought national
a tte n tio n to the s ta te and th is consciousness o f nationa l s p i r i t moved
s e ttle r s west.. This knowledge o f interdependence became d is tin c t when
in 1882 Benson's Landing received 140,000 pounds o f merchandise fo r
workers on the Northern P a c ific R ailroad.
L a te r, the landing acquired
the name " I iv in g s to n " named a fte r a larg e stockholder in the ra ilro a d
company.
T h ird , L ivin g sto n became the gateway to natural wonders.
Geothermal energy sources in Yellowstone Park drew v is it o r s west.
As
e a rly as 1882, General Grant and 20,000 v is ito r s tra v e le d through
L ivin g sto n on journeys to Yellowstone Park.
L iving ston residents from
th a t time onward grew more a p p re c ia tiv e o f the natural appeal o f the
la n d 's resources.
Fourth, e a rly discovery o f placer mining tra n sp ire d
in several lo ca l areas around L iv in g s to n , in c lu d in g Emigrant Gulch.
The
p o te n tia l to "g e t ric h quick" lured many tra n s ie n t s e ttle r s to areas,
near L iv in g s to n .
the re gion .
Hence, mining was a fundamental reason fo r populating
In tim e , mining proved to be more arduous than productive
and the most in va lu a b le discoveries happened by a ccid ent, not through
w ritte n design.
For example, a fte r 28 years o f prospecting in Bear-
Gulch, a la n d s lid e fis s u re d deposits o f ore.
S im ila rly , one gold nugget
found by Jim Ponstord priced a t $58 provoked aimless gold-panning by
money-hungry miners.
E ve n tu a lly, toilsom e gold panning imposed cease­
78
less hardships and the expense o f h yd ra u lic mining or dredging lim ite d
and f i n a l l y prevented mining prospects.
F if t h , the resources at th a t
time "tre a s u re d ", decreased in market value.
For th is reason, copper
mines near the B e lt and Crazy Mountains; platinum mines near Emigrant;
t i n mines in Cinnabar Basin closed soon a fte r they opened.
in h a b ita n ts o f L ivin g sto n depended upon coal production.
S ix th , e a rly
This type o f
mining demanded elaborate engineering, thus drawing investment from
Eastern c a p ita lis ts .
This f i r s t system c o n s titu te d a bunker car,
tramway, and ra ilr o a d .
I t was la te r replaced by a flume.
u tiliz e d water to tra n s p o rt coal in to coke oven vats.
proved more expensive than p r o fita b le .
The flume
Both s tra te g ie s
To th is day, T r a il Creek Area is
embedded w ith 70 fe e t th ic k coal d e p o sits, which are regarded as unpro­
f it a b le to mine.
From these h in ts a t the h is to r ic a l impetus fo r s e ttlin g in Montana,
several im p lic a tio n s about the impact o f reduced energy consumption on
fa m ily l i f e
can be drawn.
F ir s t , the m a jo rity o f e a rly v is ito r s who
came to Montana were prospectors, not homesteaders.
sidents understand the problems o f th o s t s e ttle r s .
Today many re ­
Seconds the devel­
opment o f the ra ilro a d lin k e d s ta te in te re s ts w ith the n a tio n .
The
residents also began to recognize the dependence o f the nation on
Montana resources.
T h ird , the discovery o f mining a t one p a rtic u la r
p o in t in time proved th a t resources did e x is t but the p o te n tia l o f those
mines may not be re a liz e d today.
However, modern homeowners may be more
79
conscious o f the need fo r laws to prevent e x p lo ita tio n .
Energy de cis­
ions demand serious concern when p ro je c tin g th e ir consequences.
"get ric h quick" ta c tic s o f the past proved valu eless.
The
Inadequate
planning led to f r u it le s s production through t r i a l and B rro ri
Hardships
prevented economic advances.
Abandoned mines dot the Montana landscape, g iv in g testim ony to the
attempts and fa ilu r e s o f the past.
Instrument
Because o f the type o f data researched and the need to develop an
instrum ent which would produce r e lia b le and v a lid re s u lts , the in v e s ti­
gator designed the questionnaire h e rs e lf.
The questions were based on some o f many p o lic ie s which may or may
not be enacted.
Several items re la tin g to the e ig h t major p o lic ie s were
suggested actions fa m ilie s could choose to take i f the p o lic y were
enacted.
Because the questions were based on laws which may become
e ffe c tiv e , they possess inh ere nt content v a lid it y .
The a c t iv it ie s
fa m ilie s could take i f the p o lic y became law might also be in h e re n tly
r e lia b le and v a lid because these conservation p ra c tic e s re la te to the
law.
The e ig h t p o lic ie s were selected as those which seemed to have the
g reate st impact on fa m ilie s .
These e ig h t p o lic ie s also presented varied
in te re s ts which in vo lve fa m ilie s themselves, fa m ilie s and th e ir com­
m u n itie s , and fa m ilie s in re la tio n to the fu tu re .
80
Method o f Data C o lle c tio n
In January o f 1978, 1200 instrum ents were d is trib u te d among a ll o f
the p u b lic schools in L iv in g s to n , Montana.
The elementary grade stud­
ents f i r s t received the q u estion naires, given to them by th e ir teachers.
Students were to ld not to take a questionnaire i f they had a younger
b ro th e r or s is te r .
(The school a d m in is tra to r encouraged th is method o f
d is tr ib u tio n , knowing th a t younger c h ild re n w i l l more lik e ly re tu rn the
q u e s tio n n a ire .)
c o lle c te d .
The fo llo w in g week the returned instrum ents were
Questionnaires were then given to the p rin c ip a ls o f the
Ju n io r High and High School.
The teachers a t the Ju n io r High d is t r ib u t ­
ed the instrum ents through homerooms.
However, the upper-level high
school classes were given the questionnaire through h is to ry and govern­
ment classes.
A ll students were asked to re tu rn the completed question­
naires to t h e ir school th a t same week.
A nalysis o f Data
The to ta l sum o f responses to various questions were tested w ith
the chi square te s t fo r independence.
The purpose o f th is s t a t is t ic a l .
te s t is to determine i f a re la tio n s h ip e x is ts between c e rta in v a ria b le s .
In th is p a r tic u la r study, the f i r s t question o f each o f the main e ig h t
p o lic ie s was tested against other questions o f each se c tio n .
Then, each
o f the main p o lic ie s was tested against various demographic fa c to rs .
The va ria b le s have an established re la tio n s h ip i f the d is tr ib u tio n o f
scores does not deviate from the c a lcu la te d model o f expected d i s t r i ­
81
b u tio n .
The c r ite r io n fo r acceptance o f re je c tio n or the hypothetical
re la tio n s h ip was selected a t the .05 le v e l o f s ig n ific a n c e .
In th is
study, several o f the re la tio n s h ip s were beyond . 0000; the re s u lts
th e re fo re were h ig h ly s ig n ific a n t.
A lso, in th is in v e s tig a tio n , the tested demographic varia bles did .
r e s t r ic t sample s iz e .
The analysis o f the v a ria b le terms m ay.indicate
th a t a re la tio n s h ip does not e x is t, y e t a small sample size and a set
le v e l o f s ig n ific a n c e in h ib it a more precise examination o f the va ria b le s
82
Chapter 4
Results and Discussion
Various Responses to Questions Based on 1977 Energy Proposals
The fo llo w in g tab les represent consequences o f the designed ques­
tio n n a ire .
Each o f the items tra n scrib e d from the questionnaire is
follow ed by tab les which give the number and percentage o f respondents
fo r th a t p a r tic u la r question.
The p o lic y chosed to compare items in it s
section is presented as the f i r s t question.
re s u lts antecedes the ch a rts.
Discussion o f the tabled
The discussion is based p rim a rily on the
o b je c tiv e s o f th is th e s is comprising fa m ily perception o f the p o lic ie s
and fa m ily conservation p ra c tic e s .
A separate te s tin g o f selected
demographic va ria b le s is incorporated w ith the fin a l analysis o f th is
re p o rt.
How Fam ilies Perceive A P o licy In v o lv in g Conservation Advice From
A Federal O f f i c i a l .
Of a ll the represented fa m ilie s , 3/4 tend to oppose government .
in te rv e n tio n even though the fa m ilie s themselves in v ite an o f f i c i a l , fo r
a fe e , in to th e ir homes fo r energy conservation advice.
i t e l y support th is in te rv e n tio n .
Only 5% d e fin ­
These re s u lts seem to in d ic a te th a t
fa m ilie s perceive o f f ic i a l government mediation as an unnecessary step
fo r the fa m ilie s to acquire knowledge about energy exigencies w ith in
th e ir homes (see Table 1 -1 ).
83
Table 1-1
Family A ttitu d e o f a P o lic y Promoting O ffic ia l
Energy Advise in the Home
Number
15
54
42
170
Percentage
5
19
15
61
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
How Fam ilies Perceive the Importance o f Home Energy-Saving Devices
On the oth er hand, most o f the p a rtic ip a tin g community w ill uphold
c e rta in conservation a c t iv it ie s which these fa m ilie s perceive are
im portant.
Those energy-saving apparatus which fa m ilie s consider to be
the gre a te st value in t h e ir homes are w ea therstripp ing o f e x te rio r
doors; c e ilin g , a t t i c , and flo o r in s u la tio n ; and storm window weather­
s trip p in g .
Almost a ll respondents ra te these energy preservation
e ffo r ts as su b s ta n tia l home needs (see Tables 1-2, 1-3, and 1 -5 ).
Other
energy-saving methods lis te d in the questionnaire tend to be acceptable
ways to save energy, y e t these conservation suggestions are less popular
w ith the to ta l sample than the three w ea therization p ra c tic e s pre vio u sly
mentioned.
For example, 3/4 o f the responding sample population d e fin ­
i t e l y do support hot water heater in s u la tio n , y e t 9/10 o f those respon­
ding on ly tend to advocate th is energy saving e x e rtio n (see Table. 1 -4 ).
A ll furnace changes were rated as s im ila r ly notable.
Each a lt e r ­
nation was somewhat acceptable to over 75% o f the sampled populace.
84
The two somewhat e q uivale nt furnace changes are replacement burners
which w i l l slow furnace f i r i n g ra te and e le c tr ic a l or ig n itio n systems
th a t replace gas p i l o t lig h t s .
Over h a lf o f the p a rtic ip a n ts fa vo rab ly
support these devices and about 1/4 o f the sample tend to conform the
need (see Table 1-6 and 1 -8 ).
Mechanisms which w ill modify flu e open­
ings seem to be adm issible w ith 85% o f the sampled population and more
popular than the oth er two fo rm e rly s p e c ifie d devices (see Table 1 -7 ).
Although the above measures o f energy moderation apparently are regarded
as valueable, on ly 1/2 o f the sample de cidely w ill a lt e r th e ir homes
through in s ta lla tio n o f energy-saving appliances.
N evertheless, over
4/5 o f the group in ve stig a te d seem to fa v o r home changes fo r energy
conservation in the fu tu re .
These re s u lts seem to in d ic a te th a t respond
ents are more w illin g to i n i t i a t e th e ir own home changes i f they theme
selves recognize th e ir own home through advice from an outside source,
e s p e c ia lly a governmental o f f i c i a l .
Table 1-2
W eatherstripping Doors and Windows;
An Im portant Energy Device in the Home
Number
271
9
0
I
Percentage
96
3
0 .
.4
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
85
T a b le 1 - 3
C e ilin g , A t t ic , Floor In s u la tio n ; Important
Energy Saving Device in the Home
Number
271
9
0
I
Percentage
96
3
0
.
.4
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 1-4
Hot Water Heater In s u la tio n ; Im portant Energy
Saving Devices in the Home
Number
206
46
13
9
Percentage
75
1.7
5
3
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 1-5
Storm Windows; Im portant Energy Saving Devices
in the Home
imber
Percentage
270
9
I
I
96
3
.4
.4
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
86
T a b le 1 - 6
Replacement Burners; Important Home Energy Saving
Devices in the Home
Number
147
70
31
27
Percentage
54
25
11
10
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 1-7
Devices to Modify Flue Openings; Important Home
Energy Saving Devices in the Home
Number
178
.6 0
14
25
Percentage
64
22
5
9
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 1-8
E le c tric a l o r Mechanical Ig n itio n Systems; Im portant
Home Energy Saving Devices in the Home
Number
148
76
19
36
Percentage
53
27
7
13
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
87
T a b le 1 - 9
Family E valuation o f In s ta lla tio n o f Energy Saving
Devices in T h e ir Homes
Number
Percentages
135
108
14
22
48
39
5
8
Agree
•Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
How Fam ilies Perceive Consumer Representation as an,Advisor
to the Federal Power Commission and Family Support o f th is
Representative Through Community Conservation P ractices
More than 4/5 o f a ll the responding sample tend to uphold consumer
re pre senta tion in government de cisio ns.
This repre senta tion (as a fix e d
number o f consumer committee members) may be given a u th o rity to .c o n s u lt
w ith the Federal Power Commission.
The a ttitu d e adopted by the e n tire
community regarding th is p o lic y tends to be adm issible (see Table 2 -1 ).
In response to th is p a r tic u la r p o lic y , the m a jo rity o f the com­
munity w i l l backup a member o f the community who is on the advisory
committee in chosen a c t iv it ie s .
Most (85%) community members would
endeavor to arrange or attend workshops in L ivin g sto n fo r the purpose o f
advancing coal furnaces o r s o la r water heaters.
The m a jo rity o f the
respondents (3 /4 ) also advocate a c t iv it ie s th a t might evoke the c it y o f
L ivin g sto n to shut o f f out-door lig h ts not needed a t n ig h t.
This
conservation exercise is not re a d ily approved by 1/4 o f those in the
community who p a rtic ip a te d in the study.
Therefore, several basic
88
conclusions can be drawn from these fin d in g s .
One conclusion is th a t
fa m ilie s do believe th a t consumers re q u ire a voice in government d e cis­
ion-making, p a r tic u la r ly i f these determ inations e ffe c tu a te the l i f e
s ty le o f a ll people in measureable ways.
The in v e s tig a tio n also sug­
gests th a t community support o f a lo c a l advisory committee member,
through the suggested a c t iv it ie s may not ne ce ssa rily give more voice to
the person representing the community.
Although fa m ilie s are less
d e fin ite in t h e ir support o f community actions re la tin g to conservation,
the m a jo rity w i l l in vo lve themselves in fu tu re conservation p ra c tic e s .
The sample's responses are shown on Tables 2-1 to 2-4.
Table 2-1
Family A ttitu d e o f Consumer Representation to the Federal
Power Commission
Number
163
72
14
22
Percentage
60
27
5
8
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree 1
89
T a b le 2 - 2
Coal or S olar Workshops; Family Support Given to a Community
Member on the Advisory Council - Number
126
m
22
12
Percentage
46
41
8
4
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 2-3
C ity L ig h ts Shut O ff; Family Support Given, to a Community
Member on the Advisory Council
Number
155
55
30
34
Percentage
57
20
11
12
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Table 2-4
Family Involvement in Community Energy
Conservation E ffo rts
Number
90
128
27
25
Percentage
33
47
10
9
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
90
How Fam ilies Perceive A P o licy In v o lv in g Peak Hour E le c tric a l '
Costs and C onservation.
Fam ilies sampled in the community.o f L iving ston tend to uphold, in
the same p o rp o rtio n .as oth er fa m ilie s in the community^disagree, w ith '
the peak hour e le c tr ic a l costs.
Yet, a la rg e r amount o f about 1/3 o f
the sample d e f in it e ly cannot endorse the peak hour system o f e le c tr ic a lra tin g contrasted w ith 1/5 who d e f in it e ly w i l l defend th is system.
Of
the to ta l community, 1/2 seem to perceive the ra tin g system as advan­
tageous and 1/2 o f the respondents seem to d is lik e the system.
This
.
d is tr ib u tio n s h ifts as sampled fa m ilie s perceive examples o f actions
.
fa m ily members may assume as a consequence o f the p o lic y .
The m a jo rity
o f fa m ilie s w i l l not adopt these energy-saving endeavors even though
e le c tr ic a l rates are lessened.
For example, approxim ately 3/4 o f the
sample seem to contest a lte re d work schedules th a t enable fa m ilie s to
p r o f i t through lower e le c tr ic a l rates by leaving fo r t h e ir p u rsuits
e a r lie r or la t e r .
Although 2/5 o f the c o n trib u tin g fa m ilie s may u t i l i z e
these low ra te hours through preparing evening meals in the afternoon,
th is same amount decidedly w i l l not employ afternoons to provide fo r
evening meals.
Analygous tendencies tru e o f afternoon p ro visio n are
lik e w is e tru e o f s p e c ific te le v is io n hours.
Oyer 1/2 o f a ll p a rtic ip a n ts
in d ica te d they would not a lt e r T.V. time to reduce e le c tr ic a l ra te s.
E v id e n tly , the sampled fa m ilie s perceive th e ir organized work and
entertainm ent times as schedules the clans wish to m a intain.
The outcome
91
o f the term inal question p e rta in in g to a changeable fa m ily schedule to
exercise these lower ra te s , supports the above conclusions.
Most
respondents de sire to susta in the precise ro u tin e th e ir fa m ilie s have
follow ed in the past (see Tables 3-1 t o . 3 -5 ).
Table 3-1
Family A ttitu d e o f a P o lic y Supporting Peak Hour
E le c tric a l Costs
Number
Percentage
54
77
46
98
19
28
17
36
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 3-2
E a rlie r or Later Work Schedule; Family Support
o f Peak Hour E le c tric a l Rates
Number
27
49
50
149
Percentage
10
18
18
54
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
92
Table 3-3
Afternoon Meal P reparation; Family Support
o f Peak Hour Rates
Number
Percentage
48
63
52
122
17
. 23
19
14
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 3-4
S p e c ific Use o f T.V. Hours; Family Support
o f Peak Hour Rates
Number
Percentage
46
64
55
109
17
23
20
40
Agree
Somewhat Agree.
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 3-5
Family A lte ra tio n o f Work Schedule to Use
Energy a t Low Rate E le c tric a l Hours
Number
49
76
48
105
Percentage
18
27
17
38
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
93
How Fam ilies Perceive Increased U t i l i t y Rates Set by State
Regulated U t i l i t i e s fo r P o llu tio n Control
. E vid e n tly fa m ilie s perceive th a t they themselves are not
responsible fo r p o llu tio n c o n tro l.
In fa c t, the re s u lts o f the survey
im ply th a t 4/5 or more o f the sample tend to oppose increased u t i l i t y
rates fo r p o llu tio n subord inatio n.
Although 2/5 o f the represented
sample might comply w ith these increased u t i l i t y ra te s , most p a r t ic i­
pants might not be w illin g to comply w ith the higher estim ates.
In
almost the same proportions th a t responding fa m ilie s would comply w ith
these higher assessments, the fa m ilie s s im ila r ly oppose paying higher
costs f o r a clean environment.
Those fa m ilie s who oppose paying higher
rates fo r p o llu tio n - fr e e surroundings include 3/5 o f the sample.
On
the oth er hand, 4/5 o f the sample do not fa v o r increased u t i l i t y rates
to re gula te the contam inations.
From the given sequences, the p a r t ic i­
pating fa m ilie s might pay fo r re g u la tio n o f im p u ritie s i f another way
o f c o n tro llin g p o llu tio n could d is tr ib u te the costs, not higher u t i l i t y
ra tes (see Tables 4-1 to 4 -3 ).
Table 4-1
.
Family A ttitu d e o f Increased U t i l i t y Rates fo r
P o llu tio n Control
Number
15 ■
36
60
174
Percentage
5
13
21
61
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
94
T a b le 4 - 2
Fam ilies Who Would Comply to the P o llu tio n
Control P o licy
Number
Percentage
43
74
77
91
15
Agree
26
Somewhat Agree
27 . Somewhat Disagree
32
Disagree
Table 4-3
'
Fam ilies Who W ill Pay Higher Costs fo r
P o llu tio n Control
Number
27
88
71
98
Percentage
10
31
25
35
Agree
Somewhat Agree.
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
How Fam ilies Perceive a Published Rate Schedule o f Present and
Future Rates and Family Conservation E ffo rts in Support o f the
Pol ic y
About 4/5 o f the sampled population tend to advocate a published
statement o f present u t i l i t y rates and those proposed, to increase.
E v id e n tly , respondents perceive th is as b e n e fic ia l to t h e ir fa m ily
s tru c tu re .
S im ila r ly , th is favorable perception is supported by the
p a rtic ip a n ts through c e rta in conservation p ra c tic e s .
For example, over
95
.90% o f
the represented fa m ilie s w i l l t r y to plan ahead f o r ways to
use energy to compensate fo r the a d d itio n a l costs.
In a d d itio n ,
nearly, the to ta l tested s o c ie ty , in union, support youth being taught
conservation a c t iv it ie s .
In conclusion, most sampled fa m ilie s (90%).
w i l l reduce th e ir energy consumption.
From these re s u lts , the
in v e s tig a to r concludes th a t the m a jo rity o f sampled fa m ilie s are
w illin g to begin w ith in th e ir own fa m ily s tru c tu re to teach younger
fa m ily members how to conserve energy and the household heads seem
w illin g to begin managing the energy t h e ir fa m ilie s use.
E v id e n tly ^
these fa m ilie s perceive th a t a ra te schedule comparing present and
fu tu re rates could provide in c e n tiv e f o r fa m ily management o f energy.
However, fa m ilie s may reduce t h e ir energy consumption regardless o f the
ra te p u b lic a tio n (see Tables 5-1 to 5 -4 ).
Table 5-1
Family A ttitu d e o f A Published Rate Schedule S ta tin g Present
and Future U t i l i t y Rates
Number
Percentage
155
68
25
30
56
24
9
. 11
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
96
.
T a b le 5 - 2
Planning Ahead fo r Ways to Use Less Energy to Compensate
For the, A d d itio n a l Costs; A Family E ffo r t to U tiliz e
a Rate Increase Index
Number
Percentage
163
91
10
14
59
33
. 4
5
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 5-3
In s tru c tin g Younger Family Members in Conservation P ractice s;
A Family E ffo r t to U tiliz e a Rate Increase Index
Number
Percentage
213
54
4
6
77
20
T
2
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 5-4
Fam ilies Who W ill Reduce Energy Consumption
Number
147.
104
14
12
Percentage
■
53
38
5
4
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
97
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy A llow ing Tax C redits fo r Solar
Devices and Family Conservation E ffo rts in Support o f the P olicy .
Almost 85% o f a l l p a rtic ip a tin g fa m ilie s fa vo r tax c re d its fo r
those fa m ilie s or businesses who purchase s o la r or wind devices fo r
t h e ir homes o r businesses.
The m a jo rity o f the fa m ilie s perceive these,
tax c re d its as an advantage given from the government to t r y new energy
sources.
This p o s itiv e a ttitu d e is re fle c te d in ways the community
members say they might p ra c tic e energy conservation.
F ir s t , over 1/2 o f
the sampled fa m ilie s, may purchase a s o la r w ater-heating u n it as an
e f f o r t to conserve.
Second, 3/4 o f a ll the p a rtic ip a tin g fa m ilie s may
be w illin g to uphold conservation e x p lo ra tio n w ith in the community or
from outside sources to develop s o la r and wind energy.
T h ird , about 4/5
o f the represented fa m ilie s w ill conserve by in q u irin g about new ideas
in c o n s tru c tio n .
F in a lly , 3/4 o f a ll the sampled fa m ilie s uphold th is
favorable perception o f the b e n e fits new sources can o ffe r by supporting
the exchange from gas and e le c tr ic a l sources to s o la r and wind energy
sources.
The in v e s tig a to r concludes from the various re s u lts th a t the
studied fa m ilie s perceive new s o la r sources as necessary fo r the fu tu re
and b e n e fic ia l to the present, e s p e c ia lly i f tax c re d its are o ffere d to
reward those who change from gas and e le c tr ic a l sources to s o la r sources
(see Tables 6-1 to 6 -5 ).
98
Table 6-1
Family A ttitu d e o f Tax C redits f o r Solar Devices
Number
Percentage
152
80
18
27
.
55
29
7
10
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree .
Table 6-2
Purchasing a S olar Water Heating U n it; Family Support o f
the Tax C re d it P o licy
Number
Percentage
52
97
51
77
19
35
18
28
• .
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 6-3
Community Research to Develop S olar and Wind Energy;
Family Support o f the Tax C re d it P olicy
Number
97
105
39
34
Percentage
35
38
14
.12
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
99
T a b le 6 - 4
In v e s tig a tin g S olar Homes and Educational E ffo rts to Advance
. These Ideas; Family Support o f the Tax C re d it P o licy .
Number
Percentage
128
98
24
27
46
35
9
10
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 6-5
Fam ilies Who W ill Use S olar and Wind Energy
Number
85
128
31
35
Percentage
31
46
11
13
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat D isagree
Disagree
How Fam ilies Perceive a P o licy Supporting The Gas Guzzler Automobile
Tax and Family Conservation P ractices which Uphold the P olicy
The sample tended to be e q u a lly divide d over the issue o f a tax on
automobiles according to th e ir fu e l economy.
Those p a rtic ip a n ts who
tend to disagree are 50% o f the sample and those fa m ilie s who consent
are 50% o f the sample.
Yet, more p a rtic ip a n ts (1 /3) d e fin ite ly do not
concur w ith th is ta x , than those respondents who d e fin ite ly do agree
(1 /4 ).
E v id e n tly , the sampled fa m ilie s perceive the fu e l economy
requirement as e ith e r b e n e fic ia l o r harmful to th e ir own fa m ily 's
■
100
s p e c ific needs.
Even though th is tax is not accepted by the p lu r a lit y ,
about 65% o f the fa m ilie s might exercise conservation by purchasing an
economy c a r, not a "gas guzzler" car.
From these various tendencies,
the in v e s tig a to r concludes th a t most p a rtic ip a tin g fa m ilie s are w illin g
to buy fu e l economy cars in the fu tu re , y e t these fa m ilie s may or may
not support tax th a t requires automobile manufacturers to b u ild economy
cars (see Tables 7-1 to 7 -2 ).
Table 7-1
Family A ttitu d e o f Tax on Autos Based on Gas
Guzzler Tables
Number
Percentage
65
76
48
93
23
27
17
33
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 7-2
Fam ilies Who W ill Buy an Economy Car
Number
113
67
34
66
Percentage
40
24
12
23
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
101
Family Perception o f a P o licy to Tax Natural Gas and O il With A
Ten Fold Increase in Six Years and Family Conservation Practices
To Support the P o licy
Data re s u lts seem to suggest th a t 94% o f those p a rtic ip a tin g in the
survey tend to oppose a tax on o il and natura l gas which would increase
te n fo ld in s ix years.
Only 1% s tro n g ly support the ta x .
The negative
a ttitu d e re fle c te d through the p o lic y is s im ila r ly re fle c te d in a c tiv ­
i t i e s fa m ilie s may choose.
Those who somewhat refuse to liv e clo se r to
work, schools, and downtown area include 69% o f the sampled population.
P a rtic ip a tin g in community bus t r ip s seems unfavorable to a greater
number o f respondents o r 78% o f the population sampled. Walking,
/
' '
b ic y c lin g , and u t i l i z i n g hand work instead o f machines as e ffo r ts
campaigned by the e n tire community tend to be acceptable by 3/4 o f the
sample.
Almost 1/3 o f the sampled community desire the use o f machine
power and are not even somewhat w illin g to use manual la b o r.
From the
evidence in d ica te d by these responses, several o v e ra ll conclusions can
be drawn.
The p o lic y i t s e l f hurts the pocketbook o f fa m ily members.
S ubstantial tax increases in a small expanse o f time demands immediate
adjustments.
Of the few suggested, change o f residence and community
bus vacation do not o ffe r favorable a lte rn a tiv e s .
Less than 1/4 o f the
respondents de sire community m u lti- fa m ily vacations.
E v id e n tly , a lte re d
re s id e n tia l lo c a tio n s and p riv a te vacations deprive fa m ilie s o f those
choices h ig h ly valued.
The m a jo rity want to s e le c t t h e ir own home
102
lo c a tio n and to dwell th e re .
In a d d itio n , many sampled c it y residents
plan vacations as fa m ily time to escape from the eye o f p u b lic l i f e .
Nonetheless, most respondents tend to uphold d is c ip lin e s enacted by the
to ta l community.
The d is c ip lin e s o f w alking , b ik in g , and using hand
la b o r are teachable community e f f o r t s , p r o fita b le to the good o f the
community, and h e lp fu l to the fa m ilie s themselves (see Tables 8-1 to 85).
Table 8-1 '
Family A ttitu d e o f a P o licy to Increase Tax bn. O il and
Natural Gas Tenfold in Six Years
Number ■
Percentage
4
12
49
217
I
4
17
77
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 8-2
L iv in g Closer to Jobs, Schools, DbwhtoWn Area; Family Support
Of the Natural Gas and O il Tax
Number
42
48
44
148
Percentage
15
17
T6
. 53
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
103
T a b le 8 - 3
P a rtic ip a tin g in Community Vacation Bus T rip s ; Family
■Support o f the Natural Gas and O iI Tax
Number
Percentage
23
39
45
175
8
14
16
62
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 8-4
Supporting Community E ffo rts to Walk, B ic y c le , Use Hand
Work; Family Support o f the Natural Gas and O il Tax
Number
Percentage
121
94
32
36
43
. 33
11
13
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Table 8-5
Family Use o f Man Power fo r Home Tasks
Number
68
128
42
46
Percentage
24
45
15
16
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
104
A nalysis o f Demographic V ariables
,
■
The f i r s t question o f each o f the major e ig h t p o lic ie s was tested
against the demographic in fo rm a tion given a t the ou tset o f the in s tru ■.
ment.
These terms included the fo llo w in g v a ria b le s :
tio n , income, and number o f ch ild re n liv in g a t home.
age, sex, educa­
In th is p a rtic u la r
study, only those terms found to be s ig n ific a n t in re la tio n to the main
p o lic ie s are discussed.
The constant fa c t remains th a t these p o lic ie s
are proposals, not enactments, a t the present tim e.
Me
The age o f the respondent was a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r in the type o f
response given in the case o f two p o lic ie s , "energy advice" and "con­
sumer re p re s e n ta tio n ".
A nalysis o f data suggests th a t those most
co n tra ry (85% o f the group) to the "energy advice" p o lic y include two
age brackets, those 40-44 years
old and age 50 and over.
In lik e
manner, the two age categories o f age 30-34 and age 45-49 tend to defy
th is in te rv e n tio n w ith 3/4 group d is a p p ro v a l.
Less p a rtic ip a n ts , or 2/3
o f those 29 years or less and 35-39 years old tend to d is fa v o r the
p o lic y .
Of the few who endorse
the p o lic y , about 1/3 o f the two cate­
g o rie s , age 29 or under and age 35-39 might defend th is government
in te rv e n tio n .
These re s u lts seem to t e s t if y th a t the o ld e r h a lf o f
respondents most r e s is t th is a c t, although ages 45-49 were less opposed
than those in c lu d in g ages 40-44.
(However, the group 40-44 was tw ice as
la rg e as the group in c lu d in g ages 45-49.)
The la rg e s t group, ages 30-34
105
include more respondents who tend to oppose th is manner o f aide.
However, the younger groups tend to advocate th is in te rv e n tio n w ith less
o v e ra ll d isse n tio n than the o ld e r groups.
Yet, a ll age categories
r e f le c t a negative a ttitu d e concerning the "energy advice p o lic y " .
See
Table 9-1.
Table 9-1
Age as a Factor in Evaluating Energy Advice From
Government Sources
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
29 or under
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50 and over
NOTE:
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
43
66
56
78
64
56
24
12
10
7
12
32
Somewhat
Agree
24 '
21
29
TO .
12
8 .
Agree
9
2
4
5
12
4
Columns are given in percentages.
This negative a ttitu d e is counterbalanced against the a ttitu d e given to
consumer re p re se n ta tio n .
In regard to the fa c to r o f age ca te go ries, a ll
tested groups (except age 50 and over) tend to encourage consumer
repre senta tion as advisors to the Federal Power Commission w ith
gre a te r consensus.
80%
or
Those most in harmony w ith the p o lic y (94% o f the
group) comprise ages 30-34 (which is also the la rg e s t age category).
E xactly 1/4 o f the age range 50 and over tend to .w ith s ta n d the proposal.
These re s u lts seem to s ig n ify th a t a ll age groups approximate d u p lic a te
p o s itiv e a ttitu d e s f o r consumer support.
The s lig h t d e v ia tio n in
106
fa v o ritis m is re fle c te d through age.
Those younger o f most categories
more d e fin a te ly support the p o lic y as a combined group.
Those o ld e st
le a s t support the measure as a u n ifie d group (see Table 9 -2 ).
Table 9-2
Age as a Factor in Evaluating Consumer Representation
To the Federal POwer Commission
Disagree
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
29 or under
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50 and over
NOTE:
7 '
I
6
14
13
21
Somewhat
Disagree
6
5
13
.0
4
4
Somewhat
Agree
Agree
33
26
15
40
25
21
54
68
66
47
58
54
Columns are given in percentages.
Sex
The sex o f the respondent was a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r in the
type o f response given in the case o f energy advice from government
sources.
Of the sampled male respondents, 17% might adhere to agency
energy suggestions fo r the home.
(However, over 1/3 o f the sampled
female population may endorse th is in te rv e n tio n ).
A corresponding
amount (90%) o f the terms male and female or whole fa m ily combinations
might r e s is t agency in te rv e n tio n .
These re s u lts in d ic a te th a t possible
fa m ily home a lte ra tio n s can be resolved by team e f f o r t o f home members
b e tte r than female in te rv e n tio n by h e rs e lf alone (see Table 9 -3 ).
107
T a b le 9 - 3
Sex as a Factor fo r Evaluating Energy Advice
From Government Sources
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
69
49
77
82
14
18
12
6
Male
Female
Male and female
Whole fa m ily
NOTE:
Somewhat
Agree
12
27
10
6
Agree
5
7
2
6
Columns are given in percentages.
Education
The education o f the respondent was a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r in the
type o f response given in the case o f:
increased fed era l rates in order
to co n tro l p o llu tio n , a statement o f present and fu tu re u t i l i t y ra te s ,
and a n a tura l gas and o i l tax increasing te n fo ld in s ix years.
From 3/4 to a ll respondents a t a ll education le v e ls tend to contest
in fla te d u t i l i t y ra tes f o r p o llu tio n c o n tro l.
As a 100% united group,
the .4% responding w ith e ig h t years o f education o f less might dispute
th is proposal.
The two median categories (9-12 years o f school and IS­
IS school years) include 83% o f these two. groups who both might not
support these ra te increases.
However, over 1/4 o f those educated 17-19
years tend to acknowledge the increase as b e n e fic ia l.
O bviously, those
le a s t educated are most antagonized w ith the proposal.
The two middle
categories e q u a lly c o n f lic t w ith these ra te hikes and those more h ig h ly
educated are less in o p positio n and more in agreement w ith the suggested
108
enactment than the oth er education categories (see Table 9 -4 ).
Table 9-4
Education as a Factor in Evaluating Increased Federal
Rates in Order to Control P o llu tio n
Disagree
8 Years o r under
9-12 Years
13-16 Years
17-19 Years
NOTE:
0
62
68
36
Somewhat
Disagree
100
21
16
36
Somewhat.
Agree
Agree
0
14
13
8
0
3
4
19
Columns are given in percentages.
The analysis o f data suggests th a t education does r e fle c t a
favo rab le a ttitu d e concerning the p u b lic a tio n o f a present and fu tu re
ra te schedule.
The tre n d , as re fle c te d by oth er p o lic ie s a ls o , is from
th a t o f d isse n tio n o f those le a s t educated toward approval by those
educated a t the graduate le v e l.
The study found th a t those educated
w ith e ig h t years o f school or le s s , as a 100% u n ifie d group, might not
uphold the proposal o f such a statement.
Contrary to th is a ttitu d e ,
over 3/4 o f those educated 13-19 years tend to advocate the worthiness
o f such a statement (see Table 9-5)..
109
T a b le 9 - 5
.
Education as a Factor in Evaluating a Statement
Present and Future U t i l i t y Rates
D isagree
8 Years and under
9-12 Years
13-16 Years
17-19 Years
NOTE:
0
12
13
3
. Somewhat
Disagree
100
10
5
14
Somewhat
Agree
0
■24
18
39
Agree
0
53
64
44
Columns are given in percentages.
Education separates acceptance o f the tax proposed to increase an
n a tura l gas and o i l te n fo ld in s ix years.
The a ttitu d e is almost
congruent w ith the tendencies o f acceptance or re je c tio n o f the other
proposals.
Data re s u lts in d ic a te th a t almost a ll respondents (o r over
90% o f the sample) tend to r e s is t th is tax surge.
Those w ith e ig h t or
less school years d e f in it e ly oppose the proposal.
On the oth er hand,
v a ria tio n appears in p o p u la rity o f the tax w ith in the group most educated
Only 1/2 d e f in it e ly disagree; 1/3 tend to oppose the ta x , and almost 1/5
might support th is cumulation (see Table 9 -6 ).
no
Education as a Factor f o r Evaluating Natural Gas and Oil
Tax Increases Tenfold in Six Years
Disagree
8 Years o r under
9-12 Years
13-16 Years
17-19 Years
NOTE:
100
79
82
51
Somewhat
Disagree
Somewhat
Agree
0
15
15
35
0
4
2
11
Agree
0
I
I
3
Columns are given in percentages.
Income
The income o f the respondent was a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r in the type
o f response given in the case o f a small auto tax on gas guzzler cars.
Results in d ic a te th a t 3/5 o f the three income groups (under $6,000, 10,000
14,999, and 15,000 to 19,999) tend to uphold an auto tax fo r gas guzzler
cars.
Those who lean toward d is fa v o rin g the p o lic y w ith 50% to 75%
oppositio n are also comprised o f three income categories (earning $6, 000$9,999; $20,000-$25,000; and earning $25,000 or more).
The lowest wage
earners o f these three groups m ight not uphold the p o lic y to a greate r
degree (75%) than the 50% disapproval o f those earning $25,000 or more.
E v id e n tly , the sampled middle income classes (which are the la rg e s t
p a rtic ip a tin g groups) earning from $10,000 to $19,999 m ight back the
proposal.
The low wage earners and thdse highest in the income bracket
somewhat oppose the gas guzzler auto tax (see Table 9 -7 ).
Ill
Table 9-7
Income as a Factor fo r Evaluating Auto Tax on Gas
Guzzler Cars
Disagree
Under $6,000
$6,000-9,999
$10,000-14,999
$15,000-19,999
$20,000-24,999
$25,000 or more
NOTE:
26
. 63
24
26
36
39
Somewhat
Disagree
.1 6
13
15
15
30
16
Columns a r e g iv e n i n p e r c e n t a g e s .
Somewhat.
Agree
Agree
.
32
4
34
31
21
24
26
21
27
28
12
21
112
Chapter 5
Summary
The purpose o f th is study was to analyze three o b je c tiv e s .
F ir s t ,
perception o f fa m ily behavior was studied in re la tio n to selected
p o lic ie s .
Second, fa m ily conservation pra ctice s were analyzed in r e la ­
tio n to these p o lic ie s .
T h ird , the chosen to p ic p o lic ie s were tested
against the demographic va ria b le s o f age, completed education, sex,
number o f c h ild re n liv in g a t home, and income in order to analyze the
impact o f the p o lic ie s against each o f these terms.
The data were c o lle c te d in the w in te r o f 1978 through d is tr ib u tio n
o f questionnaires to school age c h ild re n who gave them to th e ir parents
fo r com pletion.
The instrum ent used to c o lle c t the data was a qu estion­
n a ire designed by the researcher using questions adopted from President
C a rte r's 1977 Energy Package.
might have on fa m ily l i f e
The questions r e fle c t impact the p o lic ie s
i f the proposals are adopted.
T h e .re su lts o f the study showed th a t c e rta in p o lic ie s were more
acceptable than oth ers.
The p o lic ie s acceptable were concentrated in
the areas o f ( I ) consumer repre senta tion on an advisory committee to the
Federal Power Commission; (2) a statement o f present u t i l i t y rates and
those proposed to r is e , (3) and tax c re d its fo r expenditures re la tin g to
the in s ta llm e n t o f s o la r and wind devices in one's home or business.
Less approved p o lic ie s by the m a jo rity sampled include ( I ) peak hour
e le c tr ic a l costs (2) and an auto tax on gas guzzler cars.
Those re s is te d
113
by the sample were ( I ) o f f i c i a l home e n try fo r energy advice; ( 2)
u t i l i t y ra te increases fo r p o llu tio n c o n tro l; (3) and a tax imposed on
natura l gas and o il which would increase te n fo ld
in s ix years.
The categories o f age, sex, education, and income, were found to
have s ig n ific a n t re la tio n s h ip s when tested w ith the v a ria b le to p ic
p o lic ie s .
Age was a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r in the type o f response given in
the cast o f energy advice from government sources and consumer repre­
se n ta tio n .
Education proved to be a s ig n ific a n t fa c to r fo r the response
given in ( I ) increased u t i l i t y rates fo r p o llu tio n c o n tro l; ( 2) a
statement o f present and fu tu re u t i l i t y p ric e ris e s ; (3) and a te n fo ld
tax increase fo r n a tura l gas and o i l in s ix years.
Of the 1,200 d is tr ib u te d q u e stio n n a ire s, only .288 were returned.
The in v e s tig a to r a ttrib u te s th is low ra te o f re tu rn to several reasons.
P rim a rily , the p riv a te question p e rta in in g to income le v e l may a lie n a te
fa m ilie s , e s p e c ia lly when instrum ents were returned to teachers.
(The
school a d m in is tra to r suggested the in c lu s io n o f the income q u e stio n .)
In a d d itio n , the process o f d is tr ib u tin g the questionnaires through the
schools to the parent may have been a d i f f i c u l t task fo r youth and a
h u m ilia tin g task fo r adolescents and high school youth.
F in a lly ,
fa m ilie s might be exhausted by the media's push to conserve energy and
th e re fo re would not support the study.
114
Final summary and conclusions o f th is in v e s tig a tio n are documented
through the fo llo w in g impact statements.
examined fa m ily l i f e
The statements themselves have
in re la tio n to the given o b je c tiv e s .
I t is hoped
th a t the summary remarks may become impetus fo r the development o f new
stu d ie s , thus e n lig h te n in g understanding between fa m ilie s , in s titu tio n s
w ith in s o c ie ty , and the in te ra c tio n s w ith in fa m ily s tru c tu re .
Federal Energy Proposals o f 1977; Family Impact Statements
Impact o f federal in te rv e n tio n in the home compared to fa m ily
chosen energy e ffo r ts
The in v e s tig a to r pursues the fo llo w in g questions as parameters fo r
comparing the impact o f the p o lic y to the importance o f energy
conservation devices in the home.
(From analysis o f the study, the
examiner believes the succeeding questions most p e rta in to fa m ilie s in
re la tio n to the p o lic y ) .
1.
What human rig h ts does the p o lic y promote o r hinder?
2.
How w i l l the p o lic y a s s is t p o s te rity ?
3.
How do c e rta in words connote, re je c tio n o f the policy?
4.
Why are w eatherization a lte ra tio n s valued by fa m ilie s ?
5.
How can the community stim u la te approval o f unique energy
devices?
In 1963 Lidz s a id , "The fa m ily forms a s h e lte r fo r it s members
w ith in the s o cie ty and from the remainder o f s o c ie ty " (p. 53).
Goode
supports th is statement through the fo llo w in g remark, "The.small fa m ily
115 '
deals w ith a problem which the in d u s tria l system cannot handle" (Edwards,
1969 p. 21).
Both would agree th a t many fa m ilie s in n a te ly aspire to
confirm t h e ir a u th o rity as exclu sive in s titu tio n s w ith in s o c ie ty .
The
s e c u rity fa m ilie s fu rn is h fo r t h e ir own members can be viewed a base
from which members operate in the exte rna l world o f s o c ie ty .
A p o rtio n
o f th is home base is the in d iv id u a l's human r ig h t to p riva cy.
Based on
the re s u lts o f the survey, the m a jo rity o f sampled p a rtic ip a n ts w i l l not
w illin g ly re lin q u is h th is human r ig h t .
Perhaps a m a jo rity o f the
sampled population presuppose th a t o f f i c i a l who a t the present time are
in v ite d in a t the homeowner's request might la te r gain the p riv ile g e o f
home e n try w ith o u t in v ita tio n .
Another reason fo r p o lic y repulsion
might be the fe a r o f added expense mandatory changes would e n ta il.
Or,
fa m ilie s may belie ve th a t upon conceding to o f f ic i a l de cisio n s, the
household head may lose in c e n tiv e to decide from fa m ily council i t s e l f
what are possible a lte ra tio n s .
m otive.
Loss o f freedom is im plied in every
The s e c u rity o f priva cy dim inishes.
The survey's outcome suggests th a t p a rtic ip a n ts who are informed o f
obvious energy-saving m o d ifica tio n s in t h e ir household w i l l not seek
more abundant conservation p ractices u n til the evident needs are execu­
ted .
For example, i f a tt ic s or hot water heaters remain uninsulated,
homeowners m ight be less apt to de sire advice from an outside source
about e le c tr ic a l p i l o t lig h t e r s /
Therefore, a p o lic y th a t authorizes
agency advice to homeowners w i l l have l i t t l e
immediate b e n e fit.
However,
116
c e rta in external pressures such as higher fu e l price s o r in fla te d costs
fo r consumer items may fo rce clans to discover unforeseen ways to save
the supply o f energy.
Government advice could then help a homeowner i f
these suggestions inform the fa m ily o f less obvious home transform ­
a tio n s .
For example, a given home may u t i l i z e s o la r energy by re o rie n ­
tin g windows and adding re fle c to r s .
A pparently, a t the present time
sampled heads o f households view o f f ic i a l energy advice as a hindrance,
not a frin g e b e n e fit, to the fu tu re .
R e s tric tiv e terms given in the p o lic y 's d e s c rip tio n p e rta in to
p o lic y acceptance.
According to L id z , a word is defined as a " re c a ll o f
experiences or an entrance p o in t" (1962, p. 89).
For several reasons
the three terms advice, o f f i c i a l , and fee denote a d v e rs ity to the
re c a lle r most always.
F ir s t , few persons r e lis h advice unless the
advice is requested.
Second, bureaucratic p rin c ip le s u n d e rlie the
meaning most c itiz e n s give the word, o f f i c i a l .
T h ird , most United
States c itiz e n s presume th a t the government should fuu> sn c e rta in fre e
services to the people.
These c o s t-fre e services have be-un viewer* (in
past h is to ry ) as natura l human rig h ts o f a ll c itiz e n s .
E vid e n tly, these
three expressive words antagonize the sampled population.
advice is unwarranted.
and d ire c tio n .
The t i t l e
Government
" o f f i c i a l " doesn't guara, cee knowledge
A government's duty is to serve the people, not burden
them w ith higher cost o f liv in g .
Furthermore, the sampled community is somewhat w illin g to advance
th e ir households w ith energy conservation devices.
Government agencies
117
are not required fo r m o tiv a tio n .
One energy saver, w e a th e rs trip p in g , is im portant to almost a ll
respondents fo r several reasons.
The m a jo rity of.homes in a ll l i k e l i ­
hood even now fe a tu re w e a th e rs trip p in g .
are convenient a t low co st.
I f n o t, m a te ria ls fre q u e n tly
In a d d itio n , homeowners themselves can
w e a th e rs trip w ith o u t professional assistance.
Furthermore, the tech­
nique i t s e l f represents tr a d itio n a l household p ra c tic e s .
C on trad ictory
to th is t r a d it io n , hot water heater in s u la tio n ( c la s s ifie d as weatherization).seem ed less popular to the sampled community.
Even i f fa m ilie s
can in s u la te water heaters by themselves, the procedure and m ateria ls
may not be e a s ily accessible.
The process i t s e l f require s tim e.
New technologies are slow ly absorbed in to the consumer m arket.
community i t s e l f can speed up th is process.
The
For example, novel furnace
changes o ffe r tech no lo gical advances to c itiz e n s who are often unfam­
i l i a r w ith the advancement.
For th is reason, consumers may not purchase
replacement burners to reduce f ir in g - r a t e o r combustion.
Sampled
fa m ilie s might be re lu c ta n t to t r y new mechanisms, which are a d d itio n a l
fa m ily expenses, th a t a ll members (e s p e c ia lly mothers) are not informed
about.
A simple lab el s ta tin g th a t th is is a device fo r household
energy saving does not m otivate purchasers.
could boost th is in c e n tiv e .
In tim e , higher fue l prices
However, the community can be shown,
through demonstration in lo c a l workshops, the b e n e fits o f the novel
mechanisms.
As a household a d d itio n , replacement burners do not re q u ire
'118
s h ifts in fa m ily a c t iv it y p a tte rn s .
Two other furnace changes, which
modify flu e openings and replace gas p i l o t lig h t s , might be u n fa m ilia r
and th e re fo re less accepted by the sampled community also .
The time
donated through workshops and consideration given to the fa m ily u n it
could c la r if y the concepts o f the devices.
In conclusion, most fa m ilie s vo lu ntee r to i n i t i a t e home a lte ra tio n
themselves.
Some are more w illin g than o th e rs , lim ite d by the a d d itio n a l
expense and the present set o f fu e l p ric e s .
decision and the actual home change.
A time fa c to r separates the
As a whole, the responding com­
munity d e f in it e ly de sire to resolve the exact nature o f these home
tra nsfo rm atio ns themselves, w ith o u t a u th o rita tiv e d ire c tio n from outside
agencies.
Impact o f Consumer Representation as ah Advisor to the Federal Power
Commission on Family L ife
The subsequent questions encompass consumer re pre senta tion as
advisors to the Federal Power Commission.
Discussion fo llo w in g the l i s t
answers each question in i t s progressive order.
1.
What changes in p o lit ic a l ru le do the tested respondents
favor?
2.
What delegated a u th o rity s p e c ific a lly gives the consumer
power?
3.
What symbolic t i e to the phrase "consumer re pre senta tion"
recurs in American h is to ry ?
4.
I f represented, w i l l fa m ilie s support community conser­
va tio n e ffo rts ?
5.
What fea rs could e x is t to in h ib it less c it y n ig h t Tights?
6.
How accepted as a requirement is the a c tiv ity ?
7.
W ill fa m ilie s com plicate themselves more in lo c a l energy
a ff a ir s i f they are delegated consumer repre senta tion at
the federal le ve l?
A fte r an in te rim o f about twenty years, the Federal Power Commission
could dominate the n a tiona l economy.
blocked a t the present tim e.
This a u th o rity can conceivably be
As consumer representatives advise the
Federal Power Commission, the g ra s s -ro o t le v e l o f in te re s ts may acquire
a sounding board to voice needs.
Topical requirements m ight in s p ire
the decisions o f the Federal Power Commission.
Comparative to these
circum stances, re pre senta tives o f consumer groups would v o lu n ta r ily
advise the government.
Furthermore, consumer groups must examine func­
tio n s w ith in the Commission and vic e -v e rs a .
ic a lly harmonize w ith each o th e r.
could a rre s t tra n s itio n s .
The two may only pe riod­
As a conservative fa c to r dissonance
Processing by the Federal Power Commission
may be delayed u n til d e ta ile d analysis is transacted.
This delegation o f grass-roots power may is o la te the consumer
against numerous Federal Power Commission members.
can choose to stand alone.
The repre senta tive
Nevertheless, the e n tire advisory committee
w i l l be about twelve members.
Al I members are representatives by t i t l e
o f e c o lo g is ts , consumers, and in d u s t r ia lis t s .
These groups a t th is
120
moment hold c o n tra v a ria n t views in respect to energy issues.
In order
to p r o f i t , these three groups must combine t h e ir conception.
Hence,
given the a u th o rity to guide the fed era l government, these three fa c to rs
may c o lla b o ra te .
The m a jo rity o f Americans are also lin k e d to the phrase "consumer
re p re se n ta tio n " from the events in past h is to ry .
Representation is
the basis o f United States h e rita g e .' The idiom "ta x a tio n w ith o u t
re p re se n ta tio n " led re b e llio u s Americans to war against th e ir mother
country.
Local voice recognized a t the nationa l le v e l n a tu ra lly in s p ir ­
es c itiz e n s .
Many o f the sampled populace agree w ith the lo c a l c o n tro l given
through consumer re p re se n ta tio n , y e t p a rtic ip a n ts are not as w illin g to
arrange community fu n ctio n s in order to back up th is re p re senta tion.
Respondents may be lie ve th a t coal furnace or s o la r water heater workshops
given in the area w ill not give support to the advising: consumer repres­
e n ta tiv e .
Or, the p a rtic ip a n ts may arrange workshops regardless o f the
support given to p a r tic u la r committee members.
Most o f the sample
disagree w ith p ro te s tin g useless outdoor c it y lig h t s .
These people may
fe a r vandals; or the p a rtic ip a n ts may believe th a t a p ro te s t d ire c te d a t
the c it y could not help a consumer re p re s e n ta tiv e .
Another p o s s ib ility
e x is ts th a t the m a jo rity may not agree as re a d ily th a t th is is a needed
c it y conservation e f f o r t .
121
Impact o f Peak Hour E le c tric a l Rates on Family L ife
In order to describe the impact o f peak hour e le c tr ic a l costs, the
proceeding questions o u tlin e the e xte n t o f the in v e s tig a tio n .
1.
Why do most fa m ilie s oppose peak hour e le c tr ic a l costs?
2.
Are p a rtic ip a n ts w illin g to a lt e r t h e ir a c t iv it y patterns?
3.
Why are afternoon meal preparation and s p e c ific TV time
p re fe rre d to a la te r or e a r lie r work schedule?
4.
Why are fa m ilie s w illin g to change t h e ir work schedule to use
low cost energy, y e t u n w illin g , to leave e a r lie r or la te r to
work?
For many reasons, those sampled in the community in c lin e to both
support and r e je c t the peak hour e le c tr ic a l cost p o lic y .
be warranted.
Change may not
Such an a lte ra tio n may re q u ire adjustment th a t could be
more d i f f i c u l t than paying higher p ric e s .
As a u n it w ith in i t s e l f , a
fa m ily tends to look a fte r i t s own in te re s ts , not the needs o f others.
A m a jo rity may be ign ora nt o f the present e le c tr ic a l- p r ic in g system.
Because the m a jo rity sampled tend to r e je c t the p o lic y , these fa m ilie s
also r e je c t a c t iv it ie s in support o f the p o lic y .
Although suggestion o f
afternoon meal preparation and s p e c ific TV hours were favored over
e a r lie r or la te r work schedules, most p a rtic ip a n ts oppose these e ff o r ts .
However, i f lower costs are in vo lve d , fa m ilie s might modify th e ir d a ily
a c t iv it ie s .
These m o d ifica tio n s are not fa m ily e ffo r ts to same the
energy supply, but ra th e r o p p o rtu n itie s to u t i l i z e b e n e fits o f lowered
122 ■
costs.
The p o lic y 's ju s t if ic a t io n w i l l not d ir e c t energy saving con­
cerns.
Lowered costs provide o p p o rtu n itie s which speak to the m a jo rity
o f consumers.
Impact o f Increased U t i l i t y Rates in Order to Control P o llu tio n on
Family L ife
Previous statements throughout the paper s ta te th a t some Montanans,
who enjoy a p o llu tio n - fr e e atmosphere do not often see themselves as
responsible to keep the environment clean.
However, c itiz e n s may
p o ssibly support oth er measures besides higher u t i l i t y rates to p r o h ib it
p o llu tio n lo c a lly .
I mpact o f U t i l i t y Rate Schedule (o f Present and Future U t i l i t y Rates)
On Family L ife
The statement o f present u t i l i t y rates and those ris e s which are
.
proposed as a requirement o f State Regulated U t i l i t i e s has a favorable
impact on the sampled fa m ily s tru c tu re .
Represented fa m ilie s fa vo r both
the p o lic y and designated conservation pra ctice s based on the p o lic y .
Given the circumstances a t hand and a preview o f those to come, the
necessity fo r planning seems to be a prim ary concern fo r a ll o f s o c ie ty .
The statement i t s e l f does not in vo lve money d ir e c tly .
I t serves as an
impetus fo r fa m ilie s to manage t h e ir a c t iv it ie s fo r the purpose o f
conserving energy or costs.
Then, the statement speaks to those most
responsible f o r governing the a c t iv it ie s o f the household.
These heads
,
o f households can then form an in d iv id u a l plan from th a t submitted to
123
them, which is also in d iv id u a l in a tte n tio n given to the fa m ily .
This
plan provides a tra n s itio n a l basis fo r p ro je c tin g oneself in to the
fu tu re .
A c tiv a tin g ways to save energy o r money re lie v e s fears imposed
by the circumstances.
C hildren who are taught how to a lle v ia te the
immediate problems can b e tte r face the fu tu re w ith hope th a t problems
faced w i l l also be solva ble.
fo r fa m ilie s .
The plan i t s e l f o ffe rs one fu r th e r b e n e fit
The time value given through i t makes fa m ilie s aware o f
what are present energy a c t iv it y patterns w ith in th e ir own fa m ily .
The
awareness o f fu tu re p rice s allow s fa m ilie s to s p e c ific a lly define fu tu re
p ra ctice s t h e ir own fa m ily w i l l take to save energy.
Few fa m ilie s can
analyze the schedule and confess th a t th e ir fa m ily w i l l not t r y to
conserve more energy in the fu tu re .
The fa m ilie s are drawn toward
conservation p ra c tic e s , not lib e r a l energy use.
In conclusion, in d iv ­
idual re c o g n itio n given through a published statement through government
u t i l i t y sources w i l l enable fa m ilie s to view the fu tu re through s tru c ­
tured a n a ly s is .
Reaction to the unknown, e li c i t i n g fe a r, is replaced by
a plan re q u irin g the cooperation o f those i t represents.
Impact o f Tax C re d its fo r Solar Devices on Family L ife
Of those fa m ilie s sampled, the m a jo rity may support a tax c re d it
fo r expenditures on s o la r and wind devices.
seem numerous.
Reasons fo r th is approval
The m a jo rity o f c itiz e n s desire th a t government serve
th e ir needs, or o ffe r se rvice .
This service provides o p p o rtu n itie s .
The tax c r e d it serves as a fa m ily o p p o rtu n ity to advance in s o c ie ty .
124
Those who choose the advancement o f changing energy sources are rewarded.
Most o f these fa m ilie s are upper cla s s .
consumers.
They are the g re a te s t energy
They can a ffo rd to change systems.
On the o th e r hand, the
poor (who use s ig n if ic a n tly less energy) are kept from the advantage.
Because the lower class use less energy, th is class does not re quire
th is p a r tic u la r o p p o rtu n ity .
S olar devices s ig n ify hope.
Technological advances o f the past
have increased the re lia n c e o f United States c itiz e n s on the la te s t
in ve n tio n s .
Machines opened new fr o n tie r s against the f u t i l i t y o f
e a r lie r generations.
a s o la r source.
These devices re q u ire change from other sources to
When fa m ilie s act upon the in s ta llm e n t o f these mech­
anisms, they themselves recognize the change imposed upon them through
lim ite d sup plies.
S olar water heaters may be purchased by about o n e -h a lf o f the
fa m ilie s sampled.
not a lu x u ry .
e s s ity .
These u n its represent a d d itio n a l expense.
They are
Many fa m ilie s are not convinced th a t they are a nec­
Because the water heaters have not been on the market long, the
u n its are not commonly accepted.
Y et, the systems represent a way out
o f the tax burden.
More p a rtic ip a n ts fa v o r c o n s tru c tio n o f new s o la r homes than those
who agree to purchase a s o la r water heater.
th a t r e f le c t the cu rre n t trend in fa sh ion.
Most Americans desire homes
The u ltim a te , as an o v e ra ll
e s tim a tio n , would be a com pletely re s tru c tu re d home designed fo r s o la r
125
u t iliz a t io n .
This home (as viewed by the community) would po rtra y
la te s t developments combining s c ie n t if ic discovery and a e s th e tic s .
This
type o f home c o n s tru c tio n , the sampled community claim s, should be an
educational concern.
E v id e n tly , the studied fa m ilie s belie ve th a t
schools need to inco rpo rate le a rn in g to o ls to deal w ith the circum­
stances before them.
Impact o f the Gas Guzzler P o licy on Family L ife
'
The ensuing questions and remarks are based upon the gas guzzler
p o lic y .
1.
What is fa m ily perception o f taxa tion ?
2.
Why do 1/3 o f the tested fa m ilie s d e fin a te ly oppose th is tax?
3.
Why do the m a jo rity sampled tend to support fa m ily purchase o f
an economy car?
4.
What income group is disadvantaged by the tax?
5.
Why w i l l the upper class disapprove an economy car purchase?
6.
What g re a te r dilemma is im plied through the proposal?
Taxes pinch.
Fam ilies themselves s u ffe r from these in fle x ib le
r e s tr ic tio n s more than businesses, which can manipulate the disadvantage
somewhat.
In th is study, fa m ilie s may fe a r th a t tax im po sition is a
d ir e c t p r o h ib itio n , when the r e s tr ic tio n a c tu a lly lim it s car manufac­
tu re rs .
tio n .
The tax would fo rce lig h t e r w eight, fu e l e f f ic ie n t construc­
In fa c t , th is proposal may become the impetus fo r com petition,
thus r e s tr ic tin g speed and lu xu ry accessories.
In a d d itio n , a set o f
126
gas gu zzler ta b le s enacted by Congress may r e fle c t re g u la tio n s to
fa m ilie s .
S tandardization in h ib its in d iv id u a lis m .
By 1980, the m ajor­
i t y o f American cars w i l l tra v e l 18 m iles o r more per g a llo n o f g a s o lin e ,
which is g re a te r fu e l e ffic ie n c y than th a t o f the present autos. . Goals
and lim it s are se t.
The
65%
o f th is sample who tend to p re fe r fu e l economy above the
lu xu rio u s gas guzzler may regard th is fa m ily d e c is io n , as wise.
savings o ffe r rewards.
Fuel
Thus freed from the fe a r o f forced tax r e s t r ic ­
tio n s , fa m ilie s may choose economy cars as worthy investm ents.
arguments support th is the ory.
Several
Perhaps e s th e tic s and lu xu rio u s com fort
are recognized by fewer persons as tru e q u a lity .
A pparently, the
e sse n tia l concern to economize fu e l may p e rta in to numerous fa m ilie s as
a long-term value w h ile lu xu ry and com fort are te m p o ra rily removed as
fundamentals.
Automobile markets nowadays present spo rty models o f
recent designs.
This a d d itio n a l d e v ia tio n a ttra c ts the populace to
in n o va tive design, sound and economical mechanization, and hence upgrades
the q u a lity o f cars.
purchase new cars.
P re se n tly, fa m ilie s discover new reasons to
Furthermore, com petition to economize a c tu a lly opens
marketing p o s s ib ilitie s f o r manufacturers as w ell as fa m ilie s .
F u rthe r­
more, fewer fa m ily members claim th a t massive, lu xu rio u s automobiles are
a fundamental fa m ily concern.
two or more d riv e rs .
these households.
Most upper class households also contain
Often larg e cars are occupied by one d riv e r in
Smaller high q u a lity automobiles may preserve both
127
fu e l and s ta tu s .
In a d d itio n , the region encompassed by L iv in g s to n 's
school d i s t r i c t does not demand the in t e r c it y d riv in g th a t massive
m e tro p o lita n c it ie s demand.
few r e s tr ic tin g stop lig h t s .
T r a ffic is slow moving, sparse, and includes
In Montana, the automobile is very o fte n
used fo r long-d istance tra v e l because the s ta te is Targe and population
sparse.
To the p a rtic ip a n ts , the advantages, o f economy cars fa r o u t­
weigh those o f lu x u ry and s ta tu s , which is o fte n the ty p ic a l lif e s t y le
o f the big c it y .
Those d e f in it e ly opposed to economy car purchase, 1/3 o f the
sample, may represent the low income secto r o f the sample.
The impover­
ished u t i l i z e a ll income in immediate fundamental home concerns.
Thus
r e s tr ic te d , th is group cannot conceivably purchase new economy cars even
though the investment may p a y -o ff in tim e.
In the event th a t th is type
o f automobile becomes fundamental to fa m ily needs, the poor are lik e w is e
lim ite d by few accumulated goods which can be re lin q u is h e d to allow the
necessary purchase.
The choice to purchase an economy car is th e re fo re
not a fa m ily d e cisio n ,
the external fa c to r o f money management has
predetermined the outcome fo r most low income fa m ilie s .
cars to these fa m ilie s symbolize th e ir way o f l i f e .
"Gas guzzler"
These fa m ilie s may
fe a r th a t the ta x a tio n o f these cars may f a l l on themselves, not on
m anufacturers.
The autom obile, s trip p e d o f lu xu ry accessaries, features
g re a te r passenger cap acity per car.
Lower income households may ty p ic a lly
be composed o f many members, y e t few d riv e rs .
Massive cars (vans arid
128
tru c k s ) are fundamental to distance and in t e r c it y d r iv in g , e s p e c ia lly
when these homes do not have the choice o f two cars.
In a d d itio n , low
income households may not re a liz e th a t the wealthy own the gas gu zzlers.
Because th e ir own cars are not as economical as they conceivably can be,
the poor may la b e l th e ir cars "gas g u z z le rs ".
Others who oppose an economy car purchase may fa v o r lu xu ry and
com fort.
towns.
Large cars o ff e r status and prestigue in small and large
The rumors o f energy shortages may not a lt e r the preconceived
notions u n til manufacturers c a p ita liz e on these face ts in small cars.
Upon the conclusion o f these arguments, one c e n tra l dilemma is
evid ent.
Value o f money as status is juxtaposed against the value o f
money management as investm ent.
E v id e n tly , the m a jo rity o f those
responding be lie ve th a t money and energy.management walk hand-in-hand.
One cannot be measured w ith o u t the standard o f the o th e r.
Given oppor­
tu n ity to manage these, the sampled fa m ilie s w ill make wise decisions
fo r the good o f th e ir household, community, and country.
Impact o f Natural Gas and O il Tax Increasing Tenfold
in Six Years oh Family L ife
The natura l consequence o f a tax increasing te n fo ld in s ix years on
natural gas and o i l draws almost complete opposition from those p a r t i­
cipants in the study.
Increasing taxes by th a t g ra d ie n t w ith in th a t
amount o f time seems to be more intense than the lim ite d supplies
demand.
Perhaps sampled resid en ts belie ve gas prices would r e fle c t the
129
tax through the same about o f increase.
This s u b s ta n tia l gain forces.
Americans to re a liz e th a t the c r is is a c tu a lly is r e a l.
want to face the fa c t.
Few fa m ilie s
I
I f resid en ts refuse to uphold the p o lic y , they w i l l not tra n s fe r
residence.
The p o lic y i t s e l f im plies th a t the p u b lic has been, kept
unaware o f the supply lim ita tio n s .
abroad, why is change required?
I f price s do not r e f le c t the c r is is
Those who liv e outside c it y lim its are
p riv ile g e d w ith stores located toward the outside lim it s o f town.
For
many fa m ilie s , marketing a t these stores u s u a lly occurs a t the same time
each week, thus allow in g community members common reasons to meet w ith
each o th e r.
I f fa m ilie s include high school members tra n s fe r o f r e s i­
dence is unreasonable, fo r these students ofte n demand th e ir own car.
Grade school students attend the school clo se st to t h e ir residence,
o fte n w ith in walking distance.
Shopping, to many community members,
im plies commuting to a c it y 25 m iles from L iving ston where prices are
low er, v a rie ty g re a te r, and shopping i t s e l f becomes fu n , not a chore.
These p riv ile g e s w i l l not be re lin q u ish e d by fa m ily choice.
To a gre a te r degree community bus vacations meet oppositio n from
the sampled popula tion.
is destroyed.
E vid e n tly the reward o ffe re d through vacations
Vacations represent one time o f the year when fa m ilie s
are fre e o f r e s tr ic tio n s .
Group bused vacations would r e s t r ic t places
to go, time o f meeting, e tc .
le is u re tim e.
Family togetherness is o fte n found through
This time o f sharing in d iv id u a liz e s fa m ilie s , so th a t
130
many refuse to re lin q u is h the pleasure fa m ily vacations provide.
W alking, b ic y c lin g , and using hand la b o r fo r chores meet the
approval o f the m a jo rity te ste d .
deadlines.
Walking i t s e l f relaxes appointment
Like o th e r ta sks, the pleasure o f walking could become h a b it
as more and more community members p ra c tic e w alking.
Commonly, b ic y c l­
ing is p ra ctice d by younger fa m ily members, but i t can be more exten­
s iv e .
Al I fa m ily members could s a tis fy the need fo r exercise by b ic y c l­
in g , e s p e c ia lly i f oth er community members also exercised th is way.
The
a c t iv it y i t s e l f is possible w ith in L iv in g s to n 's slow-moving t r a f f i c and
vacant s tre e ts .
,
I
Hand la b o r chosen above machine power does not re q u ire an e x tra ­
o rd in a ry d e cisio n .
members.
Tasks themselves are teachable to young fa m ily
The added e f f o r t th is hand work requires could break long
established h a b its .
Yet, backed by community support, th is could become
fun .
Fewer fa m ilie s support man power chosen before machine power when
the community does not back these e ff o r ts .
However, in the p reviou sly
mentioned question, one s p e c ific a c t iv it y , hanging clothes on the
c lo th e s lin e was named as an example.
p lis h some ta sks, but not o th e rs.
Perhaps those tested would accom­
Few mothers de sire hand scrubbing
laundry, or sewing garments by hand.
Opening cans by hand, mixing
in g re d ie n ts by hand, and purchasing w rin k le -fre e clothes to a le v ia te
iro n in g may become p o s s ib ilit ie s .
Sotne fa th e rs may saw by hand, thus
131
e lim in a tin g the e le c tr ic a l saw.
co n tro l the machine.
In a ll o f these events, fa m ilie s do
They do co n tro l the s itu a tio n .
They themselves
receive the rewards the machines have accumulated in the past.
Suggestions fo r Future Studies
The design o f the study i t s e l f creates new ideas fo r fu tu re inves­
tig a tio n s .
Any segment o f the study may o ffe r d ir e c t aide.
For example,
the proposal fo r s o la r tax c re d its could be studied fo r any community.
The study could suggest:
ideal lo c a tio n s fo r s o la r homes, savings on.
fu e l b i l l s fo r homes w ith s o la r heaters, a e s th e tic s o la r designs fo r new
home b u ild e rs in th a t region and e tc .
The in v e s tig a to r recommends the fo llo w in g fo r those who desire to
d u p lic a te the study:
1.
For those whose complete fa m ily responds to the instrum ent,
include a means whereby young fa m ily members may respond
d if f e r e n t ly from th e ir parents.
Analyze the comparison o f the
youth w ith the in d iv id u a l response o f one parent.
2.
S elect a chosen number o f schools where young ch ild re n may
more lik e l y re tu rn the instrum ent, thus lim it in g the sample.
3.
Include a reward fo r those c h ild re n who do re tu rn the question­
n a ire , although the instrum ent does not n e cessarily need to be
completed.
4.
Sending questionnaires through elementary schools lim its the
study to parents who have young c h ild re n .
A more exact study
132
could be obtained by canvassing an area and the re tu rn ra te
should be higher.
Epilogue
As fa m ilie s face the fu tu re energy c r is is , they must re a liz e th a t
in order to fu n c tio n each fa m ily needs s o lid a r ity o f i t s members.
The
general a ttitu d e necessary to cope w ith the circumstances a t hand, is
summarized through th is statement by T a lc o tt Parsons, "The fa m ily is not
only a s e ttin g in to which in d iv id u a ls escape from the pressures o f the
outside s o c ie ty ; i t also has profoundly im portant fu n c tio n s in th a t
so cie ty" (1955, p. 40).
B ibliograph y Selected
I.
Selected Books and Reports.
1.
C a rte r, P resident, An a ct to e s ta b lis h a comprehensive energy
p o lic y ; H.R. 8444. Presented to the 95th Congress, F ir s t session,
September 7, 1977.
2.
Chisman, F o rre st. A ttitu d e Psychology and the Study o f Public
O pinion. P h ila d e lp h ia : Penn. State U n iv e rs ity Press, 1976.
3.
Darmsta d te r, J o e l. Conserving Energy: Prospects arid O pportunities
in the New York Region. New York: John Hopkins U n iv e rs ity Press,
1975.
4.
Edwards, John E d., Goode W.; G reehfie ld , S .; Parsons, I . ; Moore,
W.; Y inge r, M.; Wincent, C .; Moore B .; and H i l l , R. The Family and
Change. New York: A lfre d Knopf Press, 1969.
5.
Eppen, Gary. Energy, The P o licy Issues.
Chicago Press, 1976.
6.
The Energy Fact Book.
7.
Energy Index. Energy Inform ation Center I n c .; Energy Reference
Department. New York, New York, December 1976, V o l. 4.
8.
Givens, Beth, and Cathy Boyd, Energy Research Inform ation System;
P rojects R eport; Old West Regional Commission (P ro je c t Nos. 540716). B illin g s , Montana: Cooperation w ith Bureau o f Land Management,
January, 1977.
9.
Judge, Governor Thomas. A proposed Montana energy p o lic y ; Montana's
energy and growth p o lic ie s . Presented to the Montana Advisory
C ouncil, January, 1977.
10.
Kornhauser, W illia m .
Press, 1959.
11.
KuI te r , Robert and W illia m Vogsley. Energy Supply and Government
P o lic y . London: Cornell U n iv e rs ity Press, 1976.
12.
Lapedes, Daniel N. Ed. Encyclopedia o f Energy.
H i l l , 1976.
V irg in ia :
V irg in ia :
U n iv e rs ity o f
Tetra Technologies In c ., (1975).
The P o litic s o f Mass S o c ie ty .
New York:
New York:
Free
McGraw
134
13.
Levy, Marion. Aspects o f A nalysis o f Family S tru c tu re .
P rince ton, 1965.
14.
L id z , Theodore. The Family and Human A daptation.
In te rn a tio n a l U n iv e rs ity Press, 1963.
15.
Maddox, John.
H i l l , 1976.
16.
Mancke, Richard, The F a ilu re o f U.S. Energy P o lic y .
Columbia U n iv e rs ity Press, 1963.
17.
Newman, Dorothy and Dawn Day. The American Energy Consumer.
Cambridge: B a llin g e r P ublishing Company^ 1975.
18.
O'Toole, James.
1976.
19.
S trauss, Claude. The Fam ily, I ts S tructures and Functions.
York: M a rtin 's Press, 1974.
New
20.
Sussman, Marvin Ed. Sourcebook in Marriage and the Fam ily.
York: Houghtin M i f f l i n , 1968.
New
21.
Swanson, E.B. A Century o f O il and Gas.
C entury-D rafts I n c . , 1960.
22.
T ilto n , John. Report on the Role o f Economics and Resources o f
The Future. U.S. Energy and R & D P o lic y : Washington, D.C. TT974)
23.
Tuve, Georgy. Energy, Environment, Population and Food.
John W iley and Sons, 1976.
24.
Young, L e o n tine.
1968.
25.
W inter, W illia m and F a rre ira , A ., Research in Family In te ra c tio n .
Palo A lto : Science and Behavior Books In c . , 1969.
II.
Selected Journals
A.
Family L ife and Community Journals
Beyond the Energy C r is is .
New York:
Energy and Social Change.
The Fractured Fam ily.
Mew York:
McGraw
New York:
Cambridge:
New York:
New York:
Boston:
MIT Press,
Appleton-
New York:
'
McGraw H i l l ,
135
1.
Anderson, Douglas. The fa m ily growth group: g u ideline s fo r
emerging means o f strenthening fa m ilie s . Family L ife C oordinator,
January 1974, 23 ( I ) , 7-14.
2.
Axinn, June and Hormin L e rin , Optim izing socia l p o lic y fo r
fa m ilie s . Family L ife C oordinator, A p ril 1972, 21_(2), 163-170.
3.
Chrisholm, Brock. Social change is everybody's business. Family
L ife C oordinator, October 1962, 1J_(4), 75-81.
4.
Churamen, C h a rlo tte . Home management in the context o f fa m ily
stu d ie s: appraisal and c la r if ic a t io n . Family L ife C oordinator,
A p ril 1974, 2 3 (2), 133-138.
‘
5.
C o llin s , John and Bryan Downes. Community development and lo ca l
problem s o lv in g . Journal o f Community Development ip S ociety,
F a ll 1976, 7 (2 ), 28-40.
6.
Cromwell, Ronald and Vicky Thomas. Developing resources fo r
fa m ily p o te n tia l: fa m ily a ctio n model. Family L ife C oordinator,
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136
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'
14.
Popenoe, Paul. The conservation o f the fa m ily .
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i.
16.
T ip to n , Clyde.
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17.
Voelke r, Alan. Elementary school c h ild re n as view on solving
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Wasby, Stephan. The impact o f the fa m ily on p o lit ic s .
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Science and Social Journals Cited
1.
B a tisse , M ichael. Global prospects fo r natural resources.
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Science P o lic y , 1972,
Family
New S c ie n tis t,
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Key, W illia m . U rbanization and neighboring.
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—
~
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17.
N o ll, Robert. In fo rm a tio n , decision making procedures and
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19.(1 ) , 267.
18.
Palmer, John; Todd, J . ; Luckman, H.; The d is tr ib u tio n a l impact
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S ociolo gical
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24.
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26.
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VanEs, J.C. and Daniel Koenig. Social p a r tic ip a tio n , social
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28.
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Science P oliqy Reviews,
Science P o lic y Reviews.
Appendix A.
Tables
Table 48
Demographic V ariables and Related Data
Name o f P o licy
X2
df
S ig n ifica n ce
Energy Advice
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
21.13
29.30
12.0
12.88
15.89
9
15
9
15
15
.01
.02
NS
NS
NS
Consumer Representation
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
7.95
28.91
12.59
15.0
21.69
9
15
9
15
15
NS
.02
NS
NS
NS
Federal Government P o licy
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
9.79
19.02
10.61
5.53
10.69
9
15
9•
15
15
Increase Rates by Feds
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
15.04
20.20
29.77
7.84
13.46
9
15
9
.15
15
State Regulated U t i l i t y .
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
8.41
18.84
22.65
21.27
13.48
9
15
9
15
15
NS ■
NS
NS
' NS
NS
NS
NS
.001
NS
. NS
NS
NS
.01
NS
NS .
140
Name o f P o licy
df
S ig n ifica n ce
Tax C re d it
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
12.0
9.43
5.26
14.69
10.59
Auto Tax
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
16.57
20.68
7.8
21.42
25.03
9
15
9
15
15
NS
NS
NS
NS
.05
10 Fold Increase in Taxes
Respondent
Age
Education
C hildren
Income
8.47
22.43
17.49
17.34
14.50
9
15
9
15
15
NS
NS
.04
NS
NS
■
9
15
9
15
15
.
NS •
NS
NS
NS
NS
141
Table 49
Content o f P o licy and Related Data
X2
df
10.49
12.46
7.79
24.38
9.28
10.98
10.47
24.55
82.17
6
6
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Workshops
33.09
9
C ity Shut O ff L ig h ts
Community Actions
5
54.07
9
Beyond
.0001
Federal Goverment P o licy
Rearranging Work Schedule
78.24
9
Evening
100.65
9
TV
101.64
■9
A lte r Work Schedules
126.83
9
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.pool
Beyond
.0001
Increase Rates Feds
P o llu tio n Control P o licy
126.01
9
117.95
9
33.08
42.17
9
9
28.81
9
91.35
9
142.06
9
Name o f P o licy________________
Energy Advice
Doors & Windows
C e ilin g , F lo o r, A t t ic
Hot Water Heater
Storm Windows ■
Replace Burners
Flue Openings
Ig n itio n System
A ttitu d e Toward Change
Consumer Representation
W illin g to Pay
S tate Regulated U t i l i t y
Planning
Young Family In s tru c tio n
Reduction o f Consumption
Tax C re d it
S olar Water Heater
Research
S ig n ifica n ce
NS
.05
NS
.003
NS
NS
NS .
.003
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.0001
.001
Beyond
.0001
.001
Beyond
.0001
Beyond
.0001
Name o f P o licy
______
Tax C re d it (Continued)
C onstruction S olar
Use o f New Sources
Auto Tax
No Gas Guzzler
10 Fold Increase in Taxes
Live by Work
Bus
Wal k
Man Versus Machine Power
X2________d f_______ S ig n ifica n ce
'
' :
205.72
9
Beyond
.0001
132.06
9
Beyond
. .000
186.53
9
Beyond
18.97
40.81
9
9
12.46
19.42
9
9
.025
Beyond
.000
.188
.022
: .ooo
T a b le 50
ABSOLUTE & RELATIVE FREQUENCIES FOR THE QUESTIONS
Disagree
Energy Advice
Doors & Windows
C e ilin g A t t i c
Hot Water Heater
Storm Windows
Replace ,Burner
Flue Openings
Ign. System
A t t i t u d e to Change
Consumer Represented
Workshop
C it y Shut O ff Lights
Community Actions
Fed. Gov't Policy
Rearranging Work
Schedule
Evening
TV
A l t e r Work Schedule
Inc. Rates Feds.
PoT. Control
W ill to Pay
State Reg. U t i l i t y
Planning
Young Family In s t r u .
Reduce Consump
Tax C re d it
Solar Water Heater
Research
Construction Solar
New Sources
Auto Tax
No Gas Guzzler
10 Fold In c . in Taxes
Live by Work
Bus ■
Work
Machine Vs Man
Power
170
I
I
9
I
27
25
36
23
22
12
37
. 25
101
152
114
no
105.
175
91
98
30
15
7
13
27
77
34
27
35
94
66
217
148
175
36
46
Somewhat
Disagree
R e l. Freq.
42
0 .
0
14
I
31
• 15
20
■ 15
15
23
31
28
47
■ 14.9
0
0
5.0
.3
11 .0
•5.3
7.0
5.2
5.4
8.2
10.9
10.1
16.7
54.7
41.0
39.7
37 .4
61.2
31.9
34.4
10.8
• 5.3
2.5
4.6
'
9.6
27.6
12.3
• 9.7
12.5
33.2
23.9
77
52.5
62.1
12.7
50
52
5,6
50
60
77
72
25
II
4
15
18
53
40
25
32
48
34
49
. 44
45
32
18.0
18.7
20.2
17.8
21.0
27.0
' 26.3
9.0
3.9
1.4
5.3
16.4
19 .0
14.4
9.0
11.4
17.0
12.1
17.4
15.6
15
11.3
16.2
42
14.8
R e l . Freq.
60 .5
.3
.3
3.2
.3
9 .6
8.8
12 .6
8.0
7 .9
4 .3
13 .0
9.0
35.9
Somewhat
Agree
'
.
■
'
R e l. Freq.
Agree
Re!. Freq.
54
9
10
48
9
73
63
79
no
75
113
57
132
78
19.2
3.1
3.5
17.1
3.1
25.9
22.2 .
27.6
38.5
13.4
40.4
20.1 '
47.5
27.8
15
278
277
210
277
151
181
151
138
165
132
159
93
55
5.3
96 .5
96.2
74.7
96.2
53.5
63.7
52.8 '
' 48.3
40 .4
47.1
56.0
. 33.5
19.6
49
63
65
77
36
74 '
88
68
94
55
109
81
91
10699
129
76
69
12
48
39
94
17.6
22.7
23.5
27.4
12.6
26 .0
30 .9
24 .5
33.0
19.3
38.2
28 .9
34.8
38.3
35.5
45 .9
26.9
24.5
4.3
17.
13.8
33.2
27
49
46
49
15
43
27
155
165
219
148
154
52
97
128
85
65
113
4
42
23
121
9 .7
17.6
16.6
17,4
5.2
15.1
9.5
55.8
57.9
76.8
51.9
55.
18.6.
35.0
45 .9
30.2
23.0
40.1
1 .4
14.9
8.2
42.7
4.5
68
128
'
•
•
,
23.9
T a b le 51
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONS
P o licy Question
Mean
Mode
Energy Advice
C e i l i n g , A t t i c , Floor
Hot Water Heater
Storm Window I n s u l .
Replacement Burners
Flue Openings
I g n i t i o n System
A t t i t u d e Toward Change
Consumer Represented
Community Workshops
C i t y Lights Shut O ff
Community Actions
Peak Hour Rates
Changed Work Schedule
Changed Meal Prep,
Changed TV Time
A lte re d Work Schedule
Increased Rates
Comply w it h Rates
W ill Pay f o r P o llu t io n
E l e c t r i c a l Rate Plan
Planning Conservation
Young Family I n s t r u c t i o n
Reduced Consumption
Tax Credits-Changes
Sola r Water Heater
Sola r Research
Sola r Homes B u i l t
Use o f New Sources
Auto Tax
Economy Car
10 Fold Tax Increase
Live by Work
Bus vacations
Community Exercise
Man v ia Machine Power
1.6 9
3.96
3.63
3.95
3.23
3.41
3.21
3.27
3.3 8
3.30
3.19
3.05
2.31
1.82
2.16
2.17
2.25
1.6 2
2.2 4
2.15
3.25
3.44
3.71
3.38
3.29
2.44
2 .9 6
3.18
2.73
2.39
2.81
1.3 0
1 .94
1.68
3.06
2.7 6
1 .00
4 .0 0
4.00
4 .0 0
4 .0 0
4 .0 0
4.00
4 .0 0
4.00
4.0 0
4.00
3.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.0 0
1.00
1.00
1.00
4.0 0
4.0 0
4.00
4.0 0
4.00
3.00
3 .0 0
4 .0 0
3.00
1.00
4.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
4.00
3.00
Kartosis
-.39
75.62
4.01
58.51
- .4 1
1.22
- .4 1
.89
1.20
.86
-.42
.15
-1.46
-.65
-1.36
-1.32
-1.41
.45
-1.20
- 1 .1 7
.515
'
2.07
7.05
1.56
.54
1.31
-.59
.96
-.33
-1.49
-1.34
4.99
-1.03
-.8 1
-.4 9
-.7 3
Standard
Error
.57
.15
.43
.16
.59
.56
.61
.52
.55
.48
.64
.53
.68
.62
.69
.67
.67
.53
.63'
.59
.61
.47
.37
.46
.57
.65
.59
.51
-.57
.70
.71
.36
.68 ■
.59
.61
■ .58
Standard
Deviation
.96
.25
.79
.21
.99
.93
1.03
.89
.91
.80
1.07
.89
1.15
1.04
1.05
1.13 '
1.14 •-
/1.06
2!
1 .0 V
.1.01
.81
.62
.78
.96
1 .0 8
.99
.95
.95
1.17
1.19
.62
1.14
. .99
1.03
.99
Skewness
Median
1.00
-7.79
-2.12
-7.01
-1 .0 7
1.33
3.98
3.83
3.98
3.51
3.43
.92
.61
.53
.74
.98
.88
1.06
.79
.82
.64
3.61
I . /6
3.15
2.34
1.41
1.98.
2 .0
2.21
1.31
2 . 17.
2.12
3.60
3.67
.79
1.33
1.08
1.32
-1.53
3. /2
-1.11
3.55
-1.24
-1.46
-1.10
-1.01
-.86
1.47
.87
.37
.36
.22
. 1.25
.26,
.25
-1.14
-1.56
-2.53
-1.33
-1.27
-.68
-.6 7
-1.03
-.75
.59
-.46
2.24
.72
1.67
-.8 3
-.52
3.45
3.66
.
Variance
3.85
3.54
.3 .5 9
2.59
3.11
3.38
3.07
2.49
3.09
1.15.
1.45
1.31
3.28
2.92
j ‘ on
1.29 '
.80
1:28
1.01.
1:02
.64
.38
.62
.91
I . /b
.99
.91
.91
1.38
. 1.43
.38
1.29
.98
1.05
.98
Appendix B.
L e tte rs
June 13, 1978
B a llin g e r P ublishing Company
717 Dunster
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Dear Concerning P a rtie s :
I have re c e n tly completed a th e s is manuscript on "Energy P o lic ie s ;
a Family Impact Statement". I f p o ssib le , I would lik e to include three
tab les taken from Dorothy Newman and Dawn Day's book, The American
Energy Consumer. The t i t l e s o f the tab les are "Trend ip Estimated Use
o f Natural Gas by Appliances in Selected Years 1960-71", "Trend in Use
o f E le c t r ic it y by Major Appliances in Selected Years 1950-1961 (k ilo w a tt
h o u rs )", and "Annual Energy Requirements o f Small E le c tric Household
Appliances in 1973".
Thank you fo r your tim e. Please send the re p ly as soon as pos­
s ib le . The request is urgent.
S in c e re ly ,
Peggy Anderson
Montana State U n iv e rs ity Student
412 Dearborn #5
Helena, Montana 59601
146
BALLINGER PUBLISHING COMPANY
a subsidiary of ]. B. Lippincott Company
17 Dunstcr Street
Harvard Square
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02130
617 492-0670
J u n e 2 1 , 1978
Ms. P eg g y A n d erson
4 12 D earb orn - #5
H e le n a , M ontana
59601
D ear Ms. A n d e r s o n :
H e r e w ith p e r m is s i o n t o r e p r i n t T a b le s 3 - 2 3 , 3 - 2 4 , and 3 -2 5 from
THE AMERICAN ENERGY CONSUMER i n y o u r t h e s i s m a n u s c r ip t on
E n erg y P o l i c i e s ;
A F a m ily Im p a ct S t a t e m e n t . T h ere w i l l Jae
no c h a r g e .
P l e a s e u se t h e f o l l o w i n g c r e d i t l i n e :
From THE AMERICAN ENERGY CONSUMER, C o p y r ig h t 1 9 7 5 ,
The F ord F o u n d a tio n .
R e p r in te d w it h p e r m is s i o n o f
B a l l i n g e r ; P u b l i s h i n g Company.
S in
Geo
. Gunn
V ic e P r e s i d e n t
GSG/mew
Appendix C.
Questionnaire
This survey is a research p ro je c t I am conducting through the
School o f Home Economics a t Montana State U n iv e rs ity to f u l f i l l th e sis
requirements on the to p ic :
S tatem ent:.
"Energy P o lic ie s and the Family: an Impact
The purpose o f the study is to in v e s tig a te what impact
energy p o lic ie s w i l l have on fa m ily l i f e
become law.
here in Montana i f the p o lic ie s
The study w i l l cover only the area o f L iv in g s to n , Montana,
so I do appreciate your e ffo r ts in c o n trib u tin g to my st^dy.
In most
cases, the survey has been d is trib u te d through the schooj, so please
give the completed survey back to your c h ild to re tu rn to h is /h e r
teacher by the end o f th is week.
Thank you fo r your cooperation.
Peggy Anderson (Strong)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
I t is necessary to ask you some general questions th a t re la te to
y o u rs e lf.
I.
Please use an X to in d ic a te your response.
Who is responding to th is questionnaire?
f a t h e r ________
mother ___ ;_
fa th e r & mother ________
whole fa m ily
148
2.
Please in d ic a te the age o f the person completing th is questionnaire
using the fo llo w in g age range.
I f more than one person is completing
the q u e stio n n a ire , give the age o f the o ld e s t.
age
3.
29
or under ________
age 30-34 ________
age 35-39 ________
age 40-44 ________
age 45-49 ________
age 50 or o ld e r
.
Please in d ic a te the number o f years o f completed e d ucatio n.o f
the person completing th is question naire.
I f more than one person
is completing th is q u e stio n n a ire , use the person w ith the highest
educational attainm ent.
8 years or u n d e r________19-12 years ____________
13-16 years ________
17-19 years and over ________
4. ' Please in d ic a te the number o f c h ild re n liv in g a t home.
one ________
two ________
f o u r ________fiv e ______________
5.
three
s ix or more ________
Please in d ic a te your combined fa m ily income fo r 1977.
Under $6000 ___
$6000-$9999 ___
$10,000-$!4,999
$15,000-$!9,999
$20,000-$24,999
$25,000 or more
.
149
The fo llo w in g questions re la te to the 1977 Energy P o lic ie s
submitted by President C arter to Congress.
Several general questions
were chosen re la tin g to e ig h t p o lic ie s which may or may pot go in to
e ffe c t.
Please respond to each question according to what your fa m ily 's
a ttitu d e would be in each case, using the fo llo w in g scale:
D = Disagree
SD = Somewhat Disagree
SA = Somewhat Agree A = Agree
Thank you fo r your kind cooperation.
( C irc le : )
150
POLICY #1
I.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e about the idea o f an
o f f i c i a l coming in to your home, fo r a fe e , to advise your fa m ily about
home energy saving devices?
D
2.
SD
SA
A
Our fa m ily considers the fo llo w in g energy saving devices
im portant in our home:
A.
W eatherstripping
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
D
SD
SA
A
D
D
D
SD
SD
SD
SA
SA
SA
A
A
A
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
Furnace Changes
1.
2.
3.
3.
E x te rio r doors and windows.
C e ilin g , a t t ic , f lo o r ,
in s u la tio n .
Hot water heater in s u la tio n .
Storm windows.
Replacement burners which w i l l
reduce f i r i n g ra te or combus­
tio n .
Devices to modify flu e openings such as those which can
be placed on chimney tops to
prevent heat escape.
E le c tric a l or mechanical
ig n itio n system instead o f
gas p i l o t lig h t s .
I w i l l make changes in our home which re q u ire the use or
in s ta lla tio n o f energy saving devices, ra th e r than leaving our home
the way i t is .
D
Our home is already energy wise.
SD
SA
A
151
POLICY #2
1.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e about having consumer
re pre senta tion on an advisory committee to the Federal Rower Commission?
D
SD
2.
I f there
SA
A
is a member o f our community on the advisory
committee, our fa m ily would support p o lic ie s the advisory committee
proposes in a c t iv it ie s such as:
A.
B.
3.
Arranging workshops in the community
demonstrating coal furnaces or s o la r
water heating.
Persuading the c it y to shut o f f unneeded c it y outdoor lig h t s .
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
Our fa m ily would be involved in community actions re la te d
to conservation.
D
SD
SA
A
POLICY #3
I.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e i f the federal government
would enact a p o lic y whereby e le c tr ic a l costs would r e f le c t "peak hour"
use?
Peak hours would be defined as c e rta in blocks o f time during
which costs would be gre a te r fo r power used.
would be lower.
D
SD
SA
A
At low use hours, rates
152
2.
I f the "peak hour" p o lic y were enacted our fa m ily w ill
rearrange th e ir a c t iv it ie s to save energy such as:
A.
B.
C.
3.
Rearranging i t s work schedule so th a t
we could go e a r lie r or la t e r to work.
Preparing evening meals in the a ft e r noon.
Using the T.V. on ly during s p e c ific
e a rly o r la te evening hours.
D
SD
SA
A ■
D
SP
sp
SA
A
SA
A
D
Our fa m ily w i l l a lt e r i t s work schedule so th a t we could use
energy a t lower ra te hours.
D
SD .
SA
A
POLICY #4
1.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e i f the federal government
enacted a p o lic y whereby State Regulated U t i l i t i e s would increase th e ir
rates to the p u b lic in order to co n tro l p o llu tio n ?
D
2.
SD
SA
A .
I f the " p o llu tio n c o n tro l" p o lic y were enacted our fa m ily
would comply, and would not question the need fo r an unpolluted
environment.
D
3.
SD
.S A
A
Our fa m ily is w illin g to paj/ higher costs in order to have a
clean environment.
D
SD
SA
A
153
POLICY #5' .
1.
I f ra te increases are requested, federal p o lic y may re quire
State Regulated U t i l i t i e s to publish a statement o f present u t i l i t y
rates and those proposed to increase.
What would be your fa m ily 's
a ttitu d e concerning th is p a rtic u la r po licy?
D
2.
SD
SA
A
I f u t i l i t y ra te increases were allowed our fa m ily would
conserve in ways such as the fo llo w in g :
A.
B.
3.
D
Planning ahead fo r ways to use less
energy to compensate fo r the a d d itio n a l
costs.
In s tru c tin g younger fa m ily members in
conservation p ra c tic e s .
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
Our fa m ily would reduce the consumption o f energy.
SD
SA
A
POLICY #6
1.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e i f the federal government
authorized a p o lic y allow in g a tax c r e d it fo r expenditures re la tin g
to the in s ta llm e n t o f Solar and Wind devices in one's home or business?
D
2.
SD
SA
A
■
I f the tax c r e d it p o lic y were enacted, our fa m ily would
conserve in ways such as:
154
A.
B.
C.
Purchasing a s o la r water heating u n it.
Supporting research w ith in the community
from outside sources to develop s o la r
and wind energy.
In v e s tig a tin g new co n stru ctio n o f s o la r
homes and encouraging education e ffo r ts
to advance these ideas.
3.
D
D
SD
SD
SA
SA
A
A
D
SD
SA.
A
Our fa m ily would make use o f new sources such as s o la r and
wind energy instead o f continuing to use e le c t r ic it y and gas.
D
SD
SA
A
POLICY #7
1.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e i f the fed era l govern­
ment would enact a p o lic y whereby a tax was imposed on the sale of.
automobiles according to th e ir fu e l economy and based on gas guzzler
tax tables?
D
2.
SD
SA
A
Our fa m ily would buy an economy car and would not buy a
"gas guzzler" car.
D
SD
SA
A
POLICY #8
I.
What would be your fa m ily 's a ttitu d e i f the federal govern­
ment passed a p o lic y whereby the tax imposed on o il and natural gas
would increase te n fo ld over the next s ix years?
D
SD
SA
A.
155
2.
I f the o il and natural gas tax p o lic y were enacted, our
fa m ily would seek c e rta in ways to conserve such as:
A.
B.
C.
3.
L iv in g clo se r to pur work, schools
and downtown area.
P a rtic ip a tin g in community bus t r ip s
fo r several fa m ilie s instead o f takin g
separate vacations.
Supporting community e ffo r ts encouraging people to w alk, rid e b ic y c le s , and
to use hand work instead o f machines,
such as hanging clothes on the lin e
instead o f using a gas o r e le c tr ic clothes
d rye r.
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
D
SD
SA
A
Our fa m ily would use man power f o r home tasks even though
machine power is fa s te r and saves la b o r.
D
SD
SA
*
A
*
*
Thank you fo r your e ff o r ts , tim e, and honesty in completing the
survey.
The re s u lts w i l l be reported in the L iving ston E nterprise in
March.
The complete study w i l l be on f i l e a t the Montana State U niver­
s it y L ib ra ry .
Once again, thank you.
___ ...,TiICOCTTV I IBRAftlES
3 1 7 6 2 1001
900 5
'f
N370
An232
cop. 2
Anderson, Peggy (Strong!
Federal energy poli­
cies
DATE
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IS S U E D
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