Party differences and energy reform: fiscal conservatism in the California legislature

Abstract

Research building on political economy and ecological modernisation theories has paid increasing attention to the conditions that affect the prospects for environmental reform. Much work focuses on variation among political units in support of a single type of energy policy, whereas we examine within-state variation in support of a wide range of energy reform policies. Applying multilevel analyses to the 2011-2012 legislative session in California, we identify bill characteristics associated with divisions between Republicans and Democrats. Expanding the size or scope of government (through spending, government commissions, and business regulations) reduces support for energy reform among Republicans, whereas promoting transparency and other 'good government' initiatives reduces support among Democrats. In contrast with the standard view that Republicans oppose almost all energy reforms proposed by Democrats, we identify bill characteristics that increase the likelihood of support from both parties, namely tax reductions and credits, including for bills that promote renewable energy.

Red states, green laws: Ideology and renewable energy legislation in the United States

“…Thus, we added another hypothesis about additional categories of laws that support REEE but do not support a particular type of technology or policy instrument. Because conservatives are concerned with reducing regulatory burdens on households and businesses, we reason that the reduction of regulations may receive relatively higher levels of support than REEPS laws [20]. Likewise, bills that merely authorize a local government entity to engage in an activity (such as providing licenses for solar contractors) would not involve government spending or interventions in the private sector and therefore might receive higher levels of support in comparison with REEPS laws.…”

“…Instead, we are interested in how policy design distinctions are related to meaningful ideological distinctions that in turn inform how legislators view, evaluate, and support different types of REEE policy. Recent research has shown that political differences over environmental policy vary across issue type and may fluctuate over time [19], and in a study of the California legislature it was shown that differences between types of green-energy laws are related to ideological differences [20]. However, to date no research has explored the connection between ideology and REEE policy type in a systematic way across a broad range of REEE policies.…”

“…These include laws that mandate efficiency standards for government buildings, which eliminate wasteful government spending, a concern of conservatives; and laws that provide tax credits for solar energy and other renewable energy, because the laws involve tax reductions. We also hypothesize that REEPS goals (as opposed to mandates) will be less controversial to conservatives because they are not mandates [12,20].…”

“…Furthermore, in some states roll-call votes are not available. We did reconstruct this information for one legislative session in a Democrat-controlled state [20], and we found that the variation in the vote came mainly from Republicans, who voted at a rate of 56% for renewable energy legislation in comparison with 98% for Democrats. Nevertheless, we recognize that there are conservatives in the Democratic Party, especially in Southern states, and that even moderates in both parties are attuned to conservative "red flags" in legislation such as increased spending and regulations.…”

Political influences on greenhouse gas emissions from US states

“…Some approaches focus on how institutions, including laws and treaties, shape the actions of individuals, organizations and nations (9,(12)(13)(14)(15). Others emphasize the dynamics of political power (6)(7)(8)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). As Shwom argues, who has power influences what polices, programs, and institutions are in place to moderate or exacerbate how human actions influence the environmentpolitical factors are part of what are commonly called the driving forces of environmental change (21).…”