The residential conservation service in Vermont: An evaluation of program implementation

Criteria developed by Sabotier and Mazmanian (S&M) are used to assess the implementation of a statewide energy conservation program: the Residential Conservation Service as it existed in Vermont for approximately four years. The study draws conclusions concerning the implementation and evaluation of conservation programs. It also indicates some kinds of evaluation settings in which the S&M implementation framework may be especially useful. These include programs in which state officials have considerable discretion in implementing national policy, and also programs in which the “program model” is difficult to test.