Public support for community microgrid services

Utility-owned community microgrids can provide communities with decentralized grid access to distributed energy resources and improve reliability resiliency. However, the feasibility of installing requires rigorous cost-benefit analysis, which should incorporate social values. Currently, gap in our understanding ratepayers' preferences for microgrid services leaves stakeholders guessing. Using a survey-based contingent valuation method, referendum-style elicitation format, this paper provides evidence public support installations Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah (the Four Corners). The Corners region is unique its potential renewable electricity capacity as well heterogeneous state policy objectives regarding transition clean energy. A split-sample survey 4783 Corner's ratepayers resulted between 40 45% respondents voting installation (after controlling hypothetical bias) median willingness-to-pay (WTP) $25.44 (divided among 24 months) if ratepayer received direct benefits, or $13.92 they indirect benefits. Ratepayers were willing pay most relative other states. Results highlight impacts ideological, institutional, socioeconomic factors on WTP.