The University of Texas Energy Poll is a comprehensive study of consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding energy development, innovation and consumption in the United States. This presentation highlights major findings of the first poll, which will be repeated every six months. The poll is conducted under the supervision of the Energy Management and Innovation Center at McCombs School of Business. Professor Wayne Hoyer is the poll director.
2. Contents Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011 Page Question 5 QD11. If you were in charge of the US budget, in which of the following areas are you most likely to put more money and, separately, where are you the least likely to put more money? 6 Q100. When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our nation, do you think things are headed in...? 7 Q101. How would you describe energy prices today for each of the following? 8 Q102. Now looking ahead, do you expect that 6 months from today, the price for each of the following will...? 9 Q103. Now thinking about the next 12 months, do you think that the portion of your household budget spent on energy will... ? 10 Q110. Please indicate how satisfied you are with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you. 13 Q120. Over the past 3 months, approximately how frequently have you read, seen or heard anything in particular about energy issues such as electricity costs, government policy, environmental crises or alternative energy sources? 14 Q121. What have you read, seen, or heard about energy issues over the past 3 months? 15 Q122. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are you about how energy is produced, delivered and used? 16 Q123. How interested are you in learning more about each of the following? 17 Q124. In general, among the items listed below, which one do you think has the most impact on the prices you pay for energy and, separately, which one do you think has the least impact on the prices you pay for energy? 18 Q130-Q132. CATEGORY SUMMARY: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 19 Q130. Radio: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 20 Q130. Newspaper: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 21 Q130. Network TV: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 22 Q130. Network Program(s): From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 23 Q130. Cable TV: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 24 Q131. Magazines: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 26 Q132. Online Only & New Media: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? 27 Q133. Which of the following groups or organizations would you trust to provide you with information on how to use energy more efficiently?
3. Contents Continued Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011 Page Question 28 Q134. The use of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube has become much more popular in American society. How do you think this has changed how you personally learn about energy? 29 Q135. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement - I can make a difference about energy issues that are important to me with the use of social media that I could not make without social media. 30 Q150. Please rate how concerned you are about each of the following. 31 Q160. Please indicate how likely it is that you will do each of the following within the next 5 years. 32 Q170. Using the scale below, please rate your feelings regarding environmental protection versus economic growth. 33 Q171. Please indicate the extent to which you support or oppose each of the following. 34 Q172A. Considering the pros, cons and your personal preferences for each, please rank the energy sources below where 1 = Best and 6 = Worst. 35 Q180. If you were to vote in the next election in 2012, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who supports each of the following? 36 Q191. Thinking about our energy situation in 25 years, to what extent do you think we will be better off or worse off than we are now? 37 Q192. When do you think our domestic sources of non-renewable energy including oil, natural gas and coal will run out? 38 Q193. Using the scale below, please indicate your feelings with regard to non-hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the US. 39 Q194. Using the scale below, please indicate your feelings with regard to the US government's role in preparing us for future energy needs. 40 QD1. Are you...[GENDER] 40 QD2. Into which of the following age groups do you fall? 40 QD4. What is your racial or ethnic heritage? 40 QD5. Which of the following income groups includes your TOTAL FAMILY INCOME in [Insert previous year] before taxes? 40 QD6. REGION 40 QD7. What is the last grade of school you completed? 40 QD12. Are you the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18? 40 QD13. Which of the following best describes your marital status? 40 QD14. Including yourself, how many people live in your home? 40 QD15. Which of the following best describes your current employment status?
4. Contents Continued Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011 Page Question 41 QD8. In which of the following industries do you or anyone in your immediate family work? 41 QD18. Which of the following best describes your electric company? 41 QD19. Which of the following sources of energy do you use to heat your home? 41 QD24. Do you own or rent your current place of residence? 41 QD25. What is the approximate square footage of your home? 41 QD26. On average, how much is your electric bill each month? 41 QD27. How would you classify the area in which your primary residence is located? 42 QD9. Generally speaking, which of the following best describes your political affiliation? 42 QD10. When it comes to politics, do you usually think of yourself as....? 42 QD16. Thinking about all elections including school, local and primary elections, how many of them have you voted in over the past few years? 42 QD17. As the term is generally used today, do you consider yourself to be an environmentalist? 42 QD20. Which of the following best describes the type of fuel you use for the vehicle you drive most often? 42 QD21. About how many miles per gallon does your primary vehicle get, on average? 42 QD22. Approximately how many miles do you drive your primary vehicle per year? 42 QD23. And would you classify your primary vehicle as a: 43 QP1. Would you say your health in general is...? 43 QP2. How willing would you be to pay much higher prices in order to protect the environment? Would you say you are...? 43 QP3. Many companies today want to know as much as they can about their customers' interests, needs and preferences so they can individually tailor their communications and offers to each person. In general, do you see such methods for improved targeting as a good thing? 43 QP4. Which of the following items do you own? 43 QP5. To what extent do you consider yourself a religious person? Are you...? 43 QP6. Do you personally own a valid United States passport?
5. QD11. If you were in charge of the US budget, in which of the following areas are you most likely to put more money? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
6. Q100. When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our nation, do you think things are headed in...? Right Direction: 13.7% Wrong Direction: 43.2% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
7. Q101. How would you describe energy prices today for each of the following? (DK Excluded) % Wave 1 Base: Varies (Don’t Know Excluded) All results based on weighted data
8. Q102. Now looking ahead, do you expect that 6 months from today, the price for each of the following will...? (DK Excluded) % Wave 1 Base: Varies (Don’t Know Excluded) All results based on weighted data
9. Q103. Now thinking about the next 12 months, do you think that the portion of your household budget spent on energy will... ? Increase: 69.1% Decrease: 5.1% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
10. Q110. TOP 3 AND BOTTOM 3 BOX SUMMARY: Please indicate how satisfied you are with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you. Satisfied % (Top 3 Box) Dissatisfied % (Bot 3 Box) Wave 1 Base: 3406 Scale: 1 = Not at all satisfied, 7 = Very satisfied (with “Not Sure” option) All results based on weighted data Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011
11. Q110. Please indicate how satisfied you are with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you. (Slide 1) Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011
12. Q110. Please indicate how satisfied you are with the job that each of the following is doing to address the energy issues that are most important to you. (Slide 2) Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Page Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2011
13. Q120. Over the past 3 months, approximately how frequently have you read, seen or heard anything in particular about energy issues such as electricity costs, government policy, environmental crises or alternative energy sources? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
14. Q121. CATEGORY SUMMARY: What have you read, seen, or heard about energy issues over the past 3 months? Wave 1 Base: 2696 (Have read, seen or heard about energy issues in the past 3 months) All results based on weighted data %
15. Q122. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are you about how energy is produced, delivered and used? Knowledgeable: 24.2% Not Knowledgeable: 33.7% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
16. Q123. How interested are you in learning more about each of the following? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
17. Q124. In general, among the items listed below, which one do you think has the most impact on the prices you pay for energy and, separately, which one do you think has the least impact on the prices you pay for energy. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
18. Q130 – Q132. CATEGORY SUMMARY: From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
19. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q130. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Radio
20. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q130. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Newspaper
21. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q130. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Network TV
22. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q130. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Network Programs
23. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q130. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Cable TV
24. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q131. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Magazines – Slide 1
25. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q131. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Magazines – Slide 2
26. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Q132. From which of the following sources do you get most of your news or information about energy issues? – Online Only and New Media
27. Q133. Which of the following groups or organizations would you trust to provide you with information on how to use energy more efficiently? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
28. Q134. The use of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube has become much more popular in American society. How do you think this has changed how you personally learn about energy? Better: 19.2% Worse: 4.0% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
29. Q135. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement – I can make a difference about energy issues that are important to me with the use of social media that I could not make without social media. Agree: 24.4% Disagree: 29.6% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
30. Q150. Please rate how concerned you are about each of the following: % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
31. Q160. Please indicate how likely it is that you will do each of the following within the next 5 years. Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data %
32. Q170. Using the scale below, please rate your feelings regarding environmental protection versus economic growth. Economic Growth: 37.4% Avoiding Harm to Environment: 33.3% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
33. Q171. Please indicate the extent to which you support or oppose each of the following. % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
34. Q172A. Considering the pros, cons and your personal preferences for each, please rank the energy sources below where 1 = Best and 6 = Worst. % Wave 1 Base: 2919 (Question added after collection began) All results based on weighted data
35. Q180. If you were to vote in the next election in 2012, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who supports each of the following? % Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
36. Q191. Thinking about our energy situation in 25 years, to what extent do you think we will be better off or worse off than we are now? Better Off: 22.5% Worse Off: 41.3% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
37. Q192. When do you think our domestic sources of non-renewable energy including oil, natural gas and coal will run out? % 51% Within Next 100 Years Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
38. Q193. Using the scale below, please indicate your feelings with regard to non-hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the US. Promoted: 11.0% Banned: 37.9% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
39. Q194. Using the scale below, please indicate your feelings with regard to the US government's role in preparing us for future energy needs. Should Do More: 56.7% Trying to Do Too Many Things: 25.2% Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data
40. Respondent Profile (1) Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Wave 1 Gender (%): Male 49 Female 51 Age (%): 18-24 13 25-34 18 35-44 17 45-54 19 55-64 16 65+ 17 Average Age: 45.9 Ethnicity (%): Caucasian/White 69 Hispanic/Latino 13 African American/Black 12 Other 6 Annual HH Income (%): Less than $50,000 49 $50,000 to less than $100,000 29 $100,000 + 18 Parent or Legal Guardian Child <18 (%): Yes 27 No 73 Wave 1 Avg. # of People In Household: 2.6 Education (%): High school or less 40 Vocational school/Technical school 4 Some college-2 years or less 17 Some college-more than 2 years 9 Graduated college 18 Post-graduate work without a degree 4 Post-graduate degree 9 Current Employment (%): Employed full-time 36 Employed part-time 11 Full-time homemaker 11 Student 6 Retired 23 Temporarily unemployed 11 Marital Status (%): Married / Living with / Domestic Partner 59 Single 26 Divorced / Separated 10 Widowed 5 Engaged 1 Region (%): South 37 Midwest 23 West 22 Northeast 19
41. Respondent Profile (2) Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Wave 1 Residence Ownership (%): Own 63 Rent 31 Other 6 Residence Size (%): Less than 500 square feet 5 500 to less than 1,000 square feet 19 1,000 to less than 2,000 square feet 42 2,000 square feet or more 19 Residence Locale (%): Urban 27 Suburban 49 Rural 23 Average Monthly Electric Bill: $128.86 Electric Provider (%): A retail electric provider 23 A municipal or city-owned utility 21 An electric co-operative 14 An investor-owned utility 14 Other 1 Don't know 28 Home Heating (%): Natural gas 49 Electricity 47 Heating oil 7 Solar 1 Do not heat my home 2 Other 7 Wave 1 Respondent / Immediate Family Employment Industry (%) Education 9 Health Care 7 Government / Military 6 Retail 6 Manufacturing 4 Computers / Hardware / Software 3 Finance / Banking 3 Transportation / Shipping 3 Service industry 3 Hospitality 2 Entertainment 1 Travel / Tourism 1 Internet-related or e-commerce 1 Farming / Ranching 1 Energy / Power 1 Communications 1 Oil / Gas <1 Media <1 Environmental protection <1 Mining <1 None of the above 62
42. Respondent Profile (3) All results based on weighted data Wave 1 Average Yearly Mileage: (Base: 3150) 9,862 Primary Vehicle Type (%): (Base: 3150) Mid-size car 38 Compact or smaller car 18 Small SUV / Crossover 12 Pickup truck 10 Mid-size or larger SUV 10 Minivan 7 Sports car 2 Van 1 Motorcycle <1 Other 2 Vehicle Fuel (%): (Base: 3406) Gasoline 87 Gasoline-electric hybrid 2 E85 (85% ethanol blend) 2 Diesel 1 Electricity <1 Biodiesel <1 Hydrogen <1 Compressed natural gas (CNG) 0 Do not drive a vehicle 8 Other <1 Average Vehicle MPG: (Base: 3134) 24.4 (Base: 3406) Wave 1 Political Affiliation (%): Strong Democrat 10 Democrat 18 Somewhat / Lean Democrat 13 Strictly Independent 16 Somewhat / Lean Republican 11 Republican 14 Strong Republican 6 Other 8 Ideology (%): Extremely liberal 4 Liberal 13 Slightly liberal 8 Moderate 31 Slightly conservative 9 Conservative 19 Extremely conservative 6 Other 6 Voting Frequency (%): All 35 Most 26 About half 10 Less than half 10 None 15 Environmentalist? (%): Yes, ACTIVE environmentalist 11 Yes, PASSIVE environmentalist 40 No, not an environmentalist 45
43. Respondent Profile (4) Wave 1 Base: 3406 All results based on weighted data Wave 1 General Health (%) Excellent 12 Very Good 38 Good 33 Fair 14 Poor 3 Willingness To Pay Higher Prices To Protect The Environment (%) Very willing 4 Fairly willing 34 Neither willing nor unwilling 25 Not very willing 22 Not willing at all 15 Targeted Communication From Companies (%) Is a good thing 61 Is not a good thing 40 Technology Ownership (%) A digital camera 80 A game console 49 A "Smartphone" that can access the Internet 40 A tablet such as an iPad or Samsung Galaxy 10 Religiousness (%) Very religious 21 Moderately religious 39 Slightly religious 20 Not religious at all 19 Have A Valid US Passport (% Yes) 47