Energy Conserving Lifestyles: Final Report to the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.

This report examines the broad topic of energy use and its relationship to lifestyles. The emphasis is on three energy conserving lifestyle models: (1) the rural alternative lifestyle; (2) new towns; and (3) energy conserving subdivisions in existing cities. The first chapter presents an introduction. Chapter two examines the back-to-the-land movement, looking both at individual homesteads and communal living. Chapter three examines developer-designed new towns, such as Reston, Virginia and Irvine, California for energy conservation possibilities and lifestyles. Chapter four considers energy conservation in existing communities including: (1) voluntary conservation measures; (2) insulation of buildings; and (3) the microclimate within the subdivision. The final chapter identifies and evaluates obstacles to the wider adoption of energy conserving lifestyles. (Author/MR)