Short term curtailment of natural gas: Alternative curtailment forms and employment impacts in the 1976–1977 gas emergency

The 1976–1977 heating season was the coldest on record, forcing utilities throughout the Northeast and Middle West to curtail their customers severely. Based on Ohio survey data, the employment impact of these curtailments is estimated by industry and week. Several types of curtailment were used, including appeals for voluntary conservation. As these curtailments allow customers a variety of responses, the study differentiates among curtailment types and assesses the employment impact of each.