Results from the UT Energy Poll conducted by McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, Spring 2013, presented by Poll Associate Director Sheril Kirshenbaum. Results include questions on top energy issues of importance to U.S. consumers, including climate change, domestic energy production, hydraulic fracturing and exports of natural gas. For more: http://www.utenergypoll.com/

1. Public Perception of Energy Issues
4th Biannual Energy Poll Results and Analysis
April 9, 2013
Sheril Kirshenbaum
Director of The Energy Poll

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, March 2013 Page 2

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
Fourth release
• Online survey conducted March 11-20, 2013
• 2,113 respondents, weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics
General Topics
• Energy prices and availability
• Energy concerns
• Satisfaction with government
• Consumer behaviors and voting preferences
• Hot Topic: Consumer Attitudes
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 3

4. A Look At Respondents: Party
Annual Income
Age
Gender
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 4

5. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are
you about how energy is produced, delivered and used?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 5

6. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are
you about how energy is produced, delivered and used?
Knowledgeable
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 6

7. How concerned are you about each of the following?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 7

8. Looking ahead, do you expect that 6 months from today, the
price for gasoline will…?
Increase
September 2011 Base: 3406, March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 8

9. Average U.S. Weekly Gas Price
Source: EIA
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 9

10. Which benefits do you most associate with
natural gas production?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 10

11. Which benefits do you most associate with
renewable energy sources?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 11

12. Where is it most important for the U.S. government to spend
your tax dollars?
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 12

13. Where is it most important for the U.S. government to spend
your tax dollars?
Natural gas
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 13

14. Where is it most important for the U.S. government to spend
your tax dollars?
Renewables
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 14

15. Where is it most important for the U.S. government to spend
your tax dollars?
Tied with “other”
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 15

16. How relevant are energy issues to you?
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 16

17. Looking ahead, do you expect that 6 months from today, the
price for natural gas will…?
Increase
September 2011 Base: 3406, March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 17

18. Should the U.S. export natural gas to other countries?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 18

19. Americans familiar with the term ‘hydraulic
fracturing’ (sometimes referred to as ‘fracking’)?
March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 19

20. How familiar are you with the term ‘hydraulic
fracturing’ (sometimes referred to as ‘fracking’)?
Familiar
March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 20

21. Respondents who support the use of hydraulic fracturing in the
extraction of fossil fuels.
March 2012 Base: 752, September 2012 Base: 726, March 2013 Base 889
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 21

22. Gender differences among respondents who support the
use of hydraulic fracturing in the extraction of fossil fuels.
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 22

23. Regional differences among respondents who support the
use of hydraulic fracturing in the extraction of fossil fuels.
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 23

24. Who do you trust most to provide accurate, impartial information
on hydraulic fracturing?
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 24

25. Regulation: On public lands, hydraulic fracturing…
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 25

26. Necessity: On public lands, hydraulic fracturing…
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 26

27. Permission: On public lands, hydraulic fracturing…
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 27

28. What is your greatest concern regarding hydraulic fracturing?
March 2013 Base: 889.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 28

29. Do you think climate change is occurring?
March 2012 Base: 2371, July 2012 Base: 1029. September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base: 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 29

30. Do you think climate change is occurring?
March 2012 Base: 2371. September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base: 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 30

31. Regional differences among Americans who think that
climate change is occurring:
March 2013 Base: 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 31

32. Indicate if you think each of the following is a significant factor
contributing to global climate change:
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 32

33. Which of the following best reflects your views on the
relationship between the environment and the economy?
March 2013, Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 33

34. Who do you trust to provide information on
how to conserve energy?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 34

35. Who do you trust to provide information on
how to conserve energy?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 35

36. Do you trust the academic/scientific community to provide
information on how to conserve energy?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 36

37. Do you trust information provided by the business community
on how to conserve energy?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 37

38. Do you trust information provided by the oil and gas industry
on how to conserve energy?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 38

39. Which of the following is more likely to lead you to reduce your
overall electricity consumption?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 39

40. Which is more likely to lead you to shift your electricity
consumption from peak periods of the day to off-peak periods?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 40

41. Which of the following best reflects your attitude on energy
usage labels at major retail stores?
“Energy Saving”
“Energy Efficient”
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 41

42. How likely is it that you will do each of the following
within the next 5 years?
September 2011 Base: 3406, September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 42

43. How likely is it that you will do each of the following
within the next 5 years?
September 2011 Base: 3406, September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 43

44. How likely is it that you will use “smart meter” technology
within the next 5 years?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 44

45. How likely is it that you will do each of the following
within the next 5 years?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 45

46. Over the next five years, how do you think U.S. energy policy will
affect your choices for more affordable and clean energy?
“Improve my choices”
March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 46

47. Party differences on whether U.S. energy policy will improve
choices for more affordable and clean energy
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 47

48. Would you be more likely to vote for a
presidential candidate who supports..?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 48

49. How satisfied are you with the job that each is doing to
address the energy issues most important to you?
March 2013 Base: 2113.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 49

50. When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our
nation, do you think things are headed in…?
The right direction
September 2011 Base: 3406, March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092, March 2013 Base 2113
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 50

51. For more information:
www.utenergypoll.com
sheril.kirshenbaum@mccombs.utexas.edu
(512) 232-5942
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, March 2013 Page 51