Energy and U.S. Consumers June 3, 2014 Sheril Kirshenbaum Director of The Energy Poll
Impartial and authoritative source of public perspectives on energy to inform and guide discussion, business planning and policy development Page 2
General Topics Energy prices and availability Energy concerns Satisfaction Consumer behaviors and voting preferences Hot Topics Spring 2012: Hydraulic Fracturing Fall 2012: Energy, Voting Behavior, and the 2012 Election Spring 2013: Consumer Attitudes on Energy Fall 2013: The Energy-Water Nexus Spring 2014: Energy Efficiency Page 3
Background First questionnaire developed in 2010 (Inaugural launch Oct. 2011) Collaborative effort with representatives from academic institutions, polling companies, non-governmental organizations, energy producers and energy consumers Spring 2014 Sixth Release Online survey conducted March 3-17, 2014 2,133 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics The margin of error was 3.0 percentage points at the widest interval Page 4
A look at respondents: Spring 2014 Wave 6 Gender (%): Male 48 Female 52 Age (%): 18-24 13 25-34 18 35-44 18 45-54 19 55-64 16 65+ 17 Average Age: 45.6 Ethnicity (%): Caucasian/White 69 Hispanic/Latino 14 African American/Black 11 Other 6 Annual HH Income (%): Less than $50,000 49 $50,000+ 47 Parent / Guardian Child <18 (%): Yes 30 No 69 Political Affiliation (%): Wave 6 Strong Democrat 16 Somewhat / Lean Democrat 21 Strictly Independent 15 Libertarian 4 Somewhat / Lean Republican 17 Strong Republican 14 Other 6 Voting Frequency (%): All 36 Most 29 About half 10 Less than half 9 None 12 Environmentalist? (%): Yes, ACTIVE environmentalist 14 Yes, PASSIVE environmentalist 36 No, not an environmentalist 46 Live In Hydraulic Fracturing State (%) Yes 20 No 27 Not Sure 53 Page 5
When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our nation, do you think things are headed in...? Wrong Direction: 32% Right Direction: 24% Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 6
When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our nation, do you think things are headed in...? % Scale: 1 = Definitely the wrong direction, 5 = Definitely the right direction Base: W1 = 3406, W2 = 2371, W3 = 2092, W4 = 2113, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 7
Satisfaction with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you Rank as very/somewhat Satisfied Wave 6 Base: 2133 Scale: 1 = Extremely Dissatisfied, 5 = Extremely Satisfied (with Not Sure option) Source: Source: University University of Texas of Texas at Austin at Austin Energy Energy Poll, March Poll 2014 Page 8
Satisfaction with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you % Scale: 1 = Extremely Dissatisfied, 5 = Extremely Satisfied Base: W2 = 2089, W3 = 2092, W4 = 2113, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 9
Satisfaction with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you % Scale: 1 = Extremely Dissatisfied, 5 = Extremely Satisfied Base: W2 = 2089, W3 = 2092, W4 = 2113, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 10
Based on what you know, to what extent do you support or oppose the use of nuclear energy? % Scale: 1 = Strongly oppose, 5 = Strongly support Base: W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 11
What is your top concern regarding nuclear power generation? % Base: W3 = 373, W5 = 556, W6 = 514 (Those who Oppose) Page 12
Do you think global climate change is or is not occurring? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 13
Think global climate change is occurring 80% 75% 73% 73% 72% 70% 68% 65% 65% 60% Mar-12 Sep-12 Mar-13 Sep-13 Mar-14 Page 14
Please indicate the extent to which you think each of the following is a contributing factor in global climate change. Wave 6 Base: 1440 (Climate change is occurring) Page 15
What level of influence do the following have on the environment? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 16
Indicate the degree to which you trust each to provide you with information on how to conserve energy Wave 6 Base: 1074 Page 17
Concern over Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 18
Familiarity with the term hydraulic fracturing (sometimes referred to as fracking )? Scale: 0 = Never heard of, 5 = Very familiar Base: W2 = 2371, W3 = 2092, W4 = 2113, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 19
Greatest concern regarding hydraulic fracturing Wave 6 Base: 847 (Familiar with Fracking) Page 20
Which of the following best describes your feelings about regulation for hydraulic fracturing? Wave 6 Base: 847 (Familiar with Fracking) Page 21
Who do you trust most to provide accurate, impartial information on hydraulic fracturing? Wave 6 Base: 847 (Familiar with Fracking) Page 22
The federal government focus on developing Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Base: W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 23
The U.S. should permit the export of natural gas to other countries. Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014 % Scale: 1 = Strongly disagree, 5 = Strongly agree Base: W4 = 2113, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 24
Where is it most important for the U.S. government to spend your tax dollars, and separately, where is it least important? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 25
To what degree do you perceive each of the following to be a benefit of domestic natural gas production? Creates jobs 2 3 15 30 41 Lowers costs 2 5 18 28 37 Provides energy security 2 4 20 32 32 Increases energy efficiency 3 4 20 30 33 Boosts U.S. manufacturing 2 4 21 31 31 Lowers carbon emissions 4 7 21 25 30 1 = Not A Benefit At All 2 3 4 5 = Very Significant Benefit Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 26
Benefits most associated with renewable energy sources Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 27
Which benefits do you most associate with energy efficiency? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 28
Which of the following do you associate with this symbol when displayed on a product? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 29
Is energy efficiency a priority? Not a priority 4% Neutral 17% A priority 79% Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 30
Consider water conservation and energy efficiency a priority Scale: 1 = Not a priority at all, 5 = A high priority Base: W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 31
Who s responsible for driving energy efficiency? State or local government 9% Other 2% Industry 24% Federal government 36% Wave 6 Base: 2133 Consumer s 29% Page 32
Where do you think the U.S. should be spending the most money on research and development? Clean coal 8% Nuclear power 11% Energy efficiency 41% Renewables (solar, wind) 40% Page 33
Where do you think you have the opportunity to save the most money from improvements in energy efficiency? 60% 50% 48% 40% 30% 20% 21% 19% 10% 11% 0% Home heating / air conditioning Transportation (personal vehicle) Home appliances Home lighting 1% Other Page 34
Likely to do each of the following within the next 5 years % Scale: 1 = Not at all likely, 7 = Very likely Base: W1 = 3406, W3 = 2092, W5 = 2144, W6 = 2133 Page 35
Performance of products that are labeled energy efficient vs others Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 36
Top influences on your decision to purchase an energy efficient product? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 37
How much did energy efficiency influence the selection of your current home? Not An Influence: 43.9% Influence: 30.3% Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 38
Feelings with regard to the US government s role in preparing us for future energy needs Trying to Do Too Many Things: 23.2% Should Do More: 58.3% Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 39
In the next election, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who? Wave 6 Base: 2133 Page 40
For more information: www.utenergypoll.com sheril.kirshenbaum@mccombs.utexas.edu Page 41
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