Odd Man Out: An Analysis of West Virginia\u27s Slow Adoption of Energy Efficiency

Abstract

For the past several years, West Virginia\u27s legislature has introduced bills incentivizing energy efficiency for businesses, citizens, and government buildings. Repeatedly, these bills have failed to pass through the legislative process, stalling in committee. Moreover, West Virginia has some of the least progressive energy efficiency legislation in the country. This seems like an anomaly, because energy efficiency policies in West Virginia\u27s bordering states are failing to diffuse. In this paper, I explore some reasons for West Virginia\u27s lack of energy efficiency policy, applying theories of political communication and agenda setting to offer insight into how similar states have overcome opposition and effectively passed energy efficiency legislation