The October 2013 release of findings from The University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, conducted by McCombs School of Business. "American Perspectives on Energy," assembled by Sheril Kirshenbaum, poll director. General topics include consumer attitudes and perceptions on energy prices and availability, energy concerns, satisfaction, and consumer behaviors and voting preferences. Contains new questions on water usage and conservation.
2. Impartial and authoritative source of public
perspectives on energy to inform and guide
discussion, business planning and policy development
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 2
3. 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
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 3
4. 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
Fall 2013 – Fifth Release
• Online survey conducted September 5-23, 2013
• 2,144 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 4
5. A Look At Respondents: Fall 2013
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 5
6. Interest in Energy Issues
60%
55%
52%
52%
50%
48%
47%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
Spring 2012
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 6
7. 70%
10%
51%
46%
39%
25%
17%
11%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Asked advice on energy issues
often
50%
Consider energy issues important
60%
55%
Follow national energy issues
30%
Follow local energy issues
20%
Weekly read, see or hear about
energy
40%
Daily read, see or hear about
energy
60%
Consider energy information
valuable
Self-report "knowledgeable" on
energy
Income and Energy
80%
67%
58%
46%
41%
32%
26%
17%
10%
0%
<$50K
>50K
Page 7
8. 70%
33%
20%
10%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Asked advice on energy issues often
44%
51%
45%
Consider energy issues important
20%
60%
54%
Follow national energy issues
30%
Follow local energy issues
50%
Weekly read, see or hear about
energy
60%
Daily read, see or hear about energy
40%
Consider energy information
valuable
Self-report "knowledgeable" on
energy
Gender and Energy
80%
67%
51%
57%
35%
25%
17%
11%
18%
9%
0%
Men
Women
Page 8
9. Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Asked advice on energy issues
often
Consider energy issues important
Follow national energy issues
Follow local energy issues
Weekly read, see or hear about
energy
Daily read, see or hear about
energy
Consider energy information
valuable
Self-report "knowledgeable" on
energy
Politics and Energy
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Democrat
0%
Republican
Independent
Libertarian
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Page 9
10. Should the federal government focus on developing…?
Renewable technologies
89%
Natural Gas
82%
Oil
66%
Nuclear
53%
Coal
48%
None of these
4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 10
11. The U.S. should export natural gas to other countries…
50%
45%
40%
39%
35%
33%
30%
36%
34%
30%
28%
Agree
25%
Disagree
Neutral
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 11
12. Hydraulic Fracturing: Greater Awareness, Less Support
60%
50%
48%
41%
40%
45%
42%
40%
38%
35%
32%
Familiar with the term "hydraulic
fracturing" or "fracking"
30%
Support the use of hydraulic
fracturing*
20%
10%
0%
Spring 2012
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
* Includes only those respondents
who say they are familiar with
hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 12
13. Familiar with “hydraulic fracturing” sometimes
referred to as “fracking”
60%
50%
50%
46%
40%
40%
32%
30%
20%
10%
0%
<35
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
35-54
55-64
65+
Age
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 13
14. Gender and Hydraulic Fracturing
100%
90%
80%
86%
77%
70%
60%
50%
Men
41%
Women
40%
33%
30%
20%
10%
0%
The government should focus on
developing natural gas
Support hydraulic fracturing*
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
* Among 861 respondents familiar with
“hydraulic fracturing" or “fracking”
Page 14
15. Trust in Energy Labels at Major Retail Stores
"Energy-efficient" labels
"Energy-saving" labels
70%
60%
70%
59%
60%
50%
56%
50%
42%
40%
40%
30%
40%
25%
30%
20%
20%
10%
10%
0%
25%
0%
If a product label Products with
People who
says that it is
labels that say believe “energy
“energy
“energy efficient” efficient” product
efficient”, I trust exaggerate their labels are being
that it is.
claims.
fooled.
If a product label Products with
People who
says that it is
labels that say believe “energy
“energy
“energy saving” saving” product
saving”, I trust exaggerate their labels are being
that it is.
claims.
fooled.
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 15
16. Trust in Energy Labels at Major Retail Stores
70%
65%
60%
60%
59%
59%
55%
53%
men
women
50%
45%
40%
"energy-efficient" label
"energy-saving" label
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 16
17. Which country do you believe is the largest
foreign supplier of oil for the U.S.?
SAUDI ARABIA – 58%
Iraq – 15%
Canada – 13%
Venezuela – 8%
Mexico – 3%
Russia – 2%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 17
18. Actual descending order for foreign oil imports to the U.S.
CANADA – 28%
Saudi Arabia – 16%
Venezuela – 11%
Mexico – 11%
Iraq – 6%
Russia – 1%
Source: Energy Information Administration 2012
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 18
19. Americans who think that climate change…
80%
70%
60%
73%
73%
72%
65%
50%
Is occurring
40%
Is not occurring
Don’t know
30%
22%
17%
20%
10%
16%
13%
11%
16%
11%
11%
0%
Spring 2012
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 19
20. “Climate change is occurring”
100%
87%
90%
80%
70%
66%
68%
60%
52%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Democrat
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Republican
Libertarian
Independent
Political affiliation
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 20
21. Americans Energy Concerns
Cost of gasoline
87%
Cost of electricity
78%
Consumption of oil from foreign sources
71%
Depletion of water resources
70%
The portion of your household budget spent on energy
70%
Developing renewable sources of energy
66%
The energy efficiency of your home
64%
The effect of our nation’s energy production and
consumption on carbon emissions
60%
The impact of domestic oil drilling and production on the
natural environment
55%
The impact of hydraulic fracturing on the natural
environment
51%
0%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 21
22. Consider water conservation and energy efficiency a priority
Water conservation
65%
Energy efficiency
20%
72%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 22
24. What level of influence do the following have on the environment?
“significant”
U.S. government’s actions
68%
Large corporations’ actions
72%
My personal actions
37%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 24
25. Americans satisfied with the job that each is doing to
address the energy issues most important to them
You / Your Household
Engineers and scientists
Research institutes / think tanks
Renewable energy companies
Universities
Your electric provider
Greenpeace
The Nature Conservancy
Small US companies
Hydroelectric industry
Energy entrepreneurs
US Environmental Protection Agency
President Barack Obama
The Sierra Club
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Nuclear energy industry
Your state government
Your local government
Coal industry
US Department of Energy
Oil and gas companies
Energy investors
Large US companies
The US Congress
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
50%
38%
32%
32%
31%
31%
29%
28%
27%
26%
23%
22%
22%
21%
21%
20%
19%
19%
19%
17%
17%
16%
16%
15%
9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
40%
50%
60%
Page 25
27. American Attitudes on Hydraulic
Fracturing
October 15, 2013
Sheril Kirshenbaum
Director of The Energy Poll
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 27
28. Impartial and authoritative source of public perspectives on
energy to inform and guide discussion, business planning and
policy development
Fall 2013
• Online survey conducted September 5-23, 2013
• 2,144 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 28
29. Hydraulic Fracturing: Greater Awareness, Less Support
60%
50%
48%
41%
40%
45%
42%
40%
38%
35%
32%
Familiar with the term "hydraulic
fracturing" or "fracking"
30%
Support the use of hydraulic
fracturing*
20%
10%
0%
Spring 2012
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
* Includes only those respondents
who say they are familiar with
hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 29
30. Familiar with “hydraulic fracturing” sometimes
referred to as “fracking”
60%
50%
50%
46%
40%
47%
Republicans
Independents
38%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Democrats
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Libertarians
Political affiliation
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 30
31. Familiar with “hydraulic fracturing” sometimes
referred to as “fracking”
50%
45%
44%
40%
37%
36%
35%
30%
25%
23%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
White
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
African American
Hispanic
Other
Race
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 31
32. Familiar with “hydraulic fracturing” sometimes
referred to as “fracking”
60%
50%
50%
46%
40%
40%
32%
30%
20%
10%
0%
<35
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
35-54
55-64
65+
Age
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 32
33. Should the federal government focus on developing…?
Renewable technologies
89%
Natural Gas
82%
Oil
66%
Nuclear
53%
Coal
48%
None of these
4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 33
34. Gender and Hydraulic Fracturing
100%
90%
80%
86%
77%
70%
60%
50%
Men
41%
Women
40%
33%
30%
20%
10%
0%
The government should focus on
developing natural gas
Support hydraulic fracturing*
* Among 861 respondents familiar with
“hydraulic fracturing" or “fracking”
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 34
35. The U.S. should export natural gas to other countries…
50%
45%
40%
39%
35%
33%
30%
36%
34%
30%
28%
Agree
25%
Disagree
Neutral
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 35
37. American Attitudes on the EnergyWater Nexus
October 15, 2013
Sheril Kirshenbaum
Director of The Energy Poll
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 37
38. Impartial and authoritative source of public perspectives on
energy to inform and guide discussion, business planning and
policy development
Fall 2013 Special Section: Energy-Water Nexus
• Online survey conducted September 5-23, 2013
• 2,144 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 38
39. In which of the following areas do you think the United Sates uses
the most water on an annual basis?
Mining
4%
Other Don’t know
1%
1%
Agriculture /
Farming
35%
Industrial
29%
Residential
30%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 39
40. In preparing for our future water needs, the U.S. government…
neutral
22%
is doing too
many things
21%
should do more
57%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 40
41. Which of the following is more likely to lead you to reduce your
household water consumption?
Other
2%
Don’t know
11%
Neither would
affect my
behavior
14%
A significant
increase in water
prices
32%
Both would affect
my behavior
equally
36%
Discovering that
you use
significantly more
water (per square
foot) than your
neighbors use
5%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 41
42. Consider water conservation and energy efficiency a priority
Water conservation
65%
Energy efficiency
20%
72%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 42
43. Would like for the US government’s support or involvement to
increase in…
Enforcement of laws against pollution of drinking water
65%
Rebates or tax incentives for consumers that purchase
water-efficient products
58%
Research and development on water efficiency
56%
Development of building codes to make new buildings
more water-efficient
54%
Funding for repairing water and sewer facilities
54%
Rebates or tax incentives for homeowners to install
water-efficient landscaping
50%
Adoption of efficiency standards for new water-using
products
49%
Research and development on desalination (the
removal of salt from sea water)
47%
Funding for new or expanded water and sewer facilities
47%
Voluntary labeling of water-efficient products and
equipment
38%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 43
45. American Attitudes on Climate
October 15, 2013
Sheril Kirshenbaum
Director of The Energy Poll
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 45
46. Impartial and authoritative source of public perspectives on
energy to inform and guide discussion, business planning and
policy development
Fall 2013
• Online survey conducted September 5-23, 2013
• 2,144 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 46
47. Americans who think that climate change…
80%
70%
60%
73%
73%
72%
65%
50%
Is occurring
40%
Is not occurring
Don’t know
30%
22%
17%
20%
10%
16%
13%
11%
16%
11%
11%
0%
Spring 2012
Fall 2012
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 47
48. “Climate change is occurring”
100%
87%
90%
80%
70%
66%
68%
60%
52%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Democrat
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Republican
Libertarian
Independent
Political affiliation
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 48
49. “Climate change is occurring”
90%
80%
77%
74%
71%
70%
60%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
<35
35-54
Age
55-64
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
65+
Page 49
50. “Climate change is occurring”
90%
84%
82%
80%
76%
69%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Hispanic
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
African American
White
Other
Race
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 50
51. Which of the following do you think is a contributing
factor in global climate change?
Deforestation
74%
Oil
63%
Coal
59%
Natural forces (not manmade)
44%
Natural gas
41%
Agriculture (including livestock)
37%
Other
7%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 51
52. What level of influence do the following have on the environment?
“significant”
U.S. government’s actions
68%
Large corporations’ actions
72%
My personal actions
37%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
September 2013 Base: 2144.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll
Page 52