Strategies for a Softer, More Sustainable, Residential Energy Path‪.‬

Abstract The purpose of this article is to contribute to the discussion about how a community's energy future could be made more sustainable. To increase residential energy efficiency and to move residential energy supply from less- to more-sustainable sources, a range of representative strategies is investigated. They are: stronger regulations, financial incentives, home energy rating systems, renewable portfolio standards, solar pioneers, disclosure labels and systems benefits charges. For each, the respective strategy is introduced and its basic operation is described. Its past and present implementation is then reviewed. The extent to which the respective strategy has already been followed in Ontario is also considered, and speculation upon how it would operate in this province offered. The results of a public survey conducted in Waterloo Region, Ontario (n=527) are then presented to begin to gauge the level of public support for different strategies. Attracting the most public support is the proposal that suppliers of electricity be required to disclose their sources of electricity to enable residents to make informed choices. Also attracting considerable support were tax exemptions for energy efficiency and renewable energy products, stronger energy efficiency standards for new homes, tax credits and low or no-interest loans for home energy upgrades. Although the other proposed strategies attracted relatively less support, a majority of the respondents still agreed with them. Accordingly, Waterloo Region respondents have clearly indicated a desire to go beyond the status quo and to begin to move from the hard energy path to a softer energy path.