Institutional Factors as Antecedents of Energy Efficiency Policies at the Local Level

ABSTRACT This article explores institutional factors as antecedents of energy efficiency policy adopted by the largest cities within the United States. Drawing on the theory of institutional isomorphism, we hypothesize that four forces—coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphism, along with nonprofit pressure—affect the energy efficiency policy of 41 of the largest cities within the United States from 2013 to 2019. We find some evidence for coercive and normative isomorphic pressures, but conflicting support for mimetic isomorphism and the role of nonprofits in promoting energy efficiency policies. We conclude by offering recommendations for future work in the field.