Research Overview

This study investigates the local context influencing alternative energy projects at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It examines how state policies, local attitudes, and financial feasibility shape sustainability commitments.

Data Sources

• SimmonsLOCAL Annual Consumer Survey: Captures consumer attitudes toward environmental responsibility.
• America’s Goals Report: Provides state-level sustainability policy indicators.

Key Research Questions

• Do HEIs align their sustainability initiatives with state and local priorities?
• How does the financial feasibility of alternative energy projects impact their adoption?
• Can we classify different communities based on their environmental attitudes?

K-Means Clustering Methodology

• Data is standardized for consistency.
• The K-Means algorithm partitions areas into distinct clusters.
• The optimal number of clusters is determined using the Calinski-Harabasz pseudo-F-statistic.

Findings & Implications

• Cluster 1: Weakest support for environmental initiatives.
• Cluster 2: Strong support for environmental initiatives.
• Cluster 3: Moderate support for environmental initiatives.

The results highlight geographical variations in sustainability attitudes, suggesting that universities are more likely to invest in sustainable energy when state policies, financial incentives, and local public support align.