ABSTRACT
While still a small part of the U.S. economy, representing just 2.6% of all jobs in
the United States, the green economy is poised to grow at a rapid rate, with some
sectors such as clean energy registering double-digit growth annually. Most policies
and resources to date have promoted the production side of the green economy and
have focused on energy, utilities, and green building, followed by green/clean tech
manufacturing and transportation. Much less attention has been paid to stimulating
green consumption and focusing on the sectors related to changes in lifestyle (e.g.,
retail, eco-tourism, organic gardening) (Chapple, 2008). With the U.S. Congress
in political gridlock, most policies to promote the green economy have come from
state and local governments.
