Evaluation of a community-Based electricity load management program

During the summer of 1980, Davis (CA) undertook a program to encourage residents to reduce peak electricity use. The program was initiated by the local utility company and carried a collective financial incentive: for every 1% reduction in peak electricity use, the utility would reward the city $10,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. This paper discusses the program and evaluates its effects during the first experimental summer of operation.