This database details the various incentives available in every state for individuals and businesses that use renewable energy or increase energy efficiency.
Students will learn how each program incentivizes efficient or renewable energy use and can use an interactive map to compare the number of incentives available in each state.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This database is searchable by ZIP code or state, making it easy for students to navigate.
Information is available for each program listed, which has many potential applications in the classroom.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should understand the importance of renewable and efficient energy use, as well as how financial incentives can help implement change in public consumption.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections can be made in science classes discussing energy consumption, thermal energy, and insulation, and in language arts classes reading non-fiction or scientific texts.
This resource would make an excellent tool for students to research how tax policy impacts the behavior of taxpayers. Using the database, students could evaluate and rank the impacts of each policy.
As an extension, have students research a program in another state that they would like to see enacted in their home state. Then, have them write a letter or e-mail to the department or agency that could help get a similar program running in their state.
Scientist Notes
This is a website that allows users to research available information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
ETS1: Engineering Design
HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.12.9-12 Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of public issues.
D2.Civ.13.9-12 Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.1.9-12 Analyze how incentives influence choices that may result in policies with a range of costs and benefits for different groups.
D2.Eco.12.9-12 Evaluate the selection of monetary and fiscal policies in a variety of economic conditions.
D2.Eco.7.9-12 Use benefits and costs to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies to improve market outcomes.
