The aim of this study is to develop a method that allows selecting appropriate measures for reductions in negative environmental impacts on a regional energy system. In this paper a sophisticated screening method based on theoretical and practical basics of decision-making is proposed. The proposed method is applied and tested on the energy system of a typical rural middle-sized region in Latvia. The starting point for energy system analysis was evaluation of DSM (demand side management) options but later authors chose to include also primary energy to evaluate the whole regional energy system. The proposed method foresees different aspects: not only technical and economical possibilities, but also political and social factors that are very important in the decision-making process are taken into account. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.