Energy-Based Economic Development

Energy-Based Economic Development lays the groundwork for energy-based economic development practice with working definitions, common approaches, summary case studies, and a discussion of different evaluation methods. It defines the convergence of the fields of energy policy and planning and economic development, and presents a framework for describing and designing energy-based economic development approaches. Additionally, a chapter devoted to the evaluation of the energy projects supported by recent stimulus funds in the USA helps to inform current practice about what worked well and what did not, and suggests ways in which state and local governments can become better prepared to manage energy-based economic development projects in the future. This information arms current practice and research with some of the approaches and tools necessary to work within this field, and to facilitate an advanced policy agenda geared toward energy efficiency, energy diversification, innovation-led industry growth, and economic development. This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practitioners and researchers working in energy policy.§