American West Report Addresses Energy Affordability

A report recently released by the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado at Boulder outlines the challenges of transitioning to a new energy economy while addressing the ability of lower-income households to afford home energy.

The report, “High Energy Prices and Low-Income Americans: Reducing the Risk of Unintended Injury,” discusses the increasing costs that come with the research, design and construction of new and renewable energy sources.  It highlights the fact that these costs will make it increasingly difficult for lower-income residents to afford energy, and that these same residents will have difficulty benefiting from them if they can’t afford to invest in the new technology.

The report was authored by Patty Limerick and Jason Hanson.  Limerick is Faculty Director and Chair of the Board of the Center of the American West.  She also is a professor of History at the University of Colorado and a board member of Energy Outreach Colorado.  Hanson is a research assistant with the Center of the American West, an organization that identifies and addresses issues critical to the region.

To obtain a copy of the report, please go to http://EnergyOutreach.org/contact.asp.