Date of Award

Spring 4-15-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Patrick Ainsworth

Second Advisor

Keith Larick

Third Advisor

Dennis Nichols

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this Policy Delphi study was to identify and assess the energy efficiency policies for commercial buildings in California that experts believe are most important and likely to be implemented by the year 2025 to create energy resiliency, reduce carbon emissions, and lessen dependency on electrical utilities in the future California economy. Methodology: The methodology for this Policy Delphi study was descriptive, and used to forecast the future relative energy policy for energy efficiency in commercial buildings in California. Inside the theoretical framework of policy analysis, this Policy Delphi study was designed around the insights of a nominated expert panel. The sample population was 24 experts randomly drawn from a list of individuals who were nominated by one of three advisors. Individuals were nominated for their expertise with energy policy, building industry, economy, and business. The panel was asked to identify policy options, and systematically rate those options in three structured rounds, to achieve consensus on a common set of future policies. Findings: The analysis of data from the Policy Delphi expert panel’s ratings identified that 20 policy statements were considered to be of high priority in this study. Secondly, seven policy statements received consensus on high ranking of importance. Finally, only vi one policy statement received consensus on high rankings of importance and likelihood of implementation. Conclusions: Based on the research findings, 10 conclusions were drawn including: (a) increasing ratepayer investments in energy efficiency for clean energy distributed resources for California Integrated Resource Planning policy for utilities was unmistakably the highest priority identified in this study and (b) energy efficiency policies affecting commercial buildings in California may be difficult to implement in the near future. Recommendations: Further research is recommended in the following areas: (a) replication of this study using a different expert panel selected utilizing the same or different selection criteria and (b) analyzing data on the effectiveness of the high importance policy statements.

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