2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+ …...2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+...

2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+ on Electric Utilities


AARP’s Delaware State Office, in response to its commitment to ensure affordable electric rates and consumer protections for all residents, commissioned this telephone survey to explore the views of residents age 50+ on their electric utilities. These results are based on a telephone survey fielded April 12 to April 19, 2013 with Delaware residents age 50 and older. A total of 800 interviews were completed yielding a margin of error of ±3.5 percent. The data in this report have been weighted to reflect the age and gender of the population age 50+ in Delaware. An annotated survey of the weighted responses begins on page 10 followed by a description of the methodology.

Survey-In-Brief Nearly four in five Delaware residents age 50+ are concerned about the rising costs of electricity

in their homes and the majority believes their elected officials are not doing enough to lower these costs.

53 percent say they are extremely or very concerned about the costs of their electricity going up and another 24 percent say they are somewhat concerned.

63 percent say their state elected officials are not doing enough to lower the costs of their electricity bills while only 16 percent say elected officials are doing enough to lower these costs.

15 percent say they do not learn about electric rate increases until after the rates have already been raised. About a third reports that they learn about these rate increases through notices in the newspaper (34%) or in their monthly electric bill (31%) and nearly a quarter learns about them through radio or television announcements (24%).

Approximately three-quarters of Delaware residents age 50+ oppose Delmarva’s proposed electric rate increase of $42 million.

58 percent strongly oppose the $42 million electric rate increase proposed by Delmarva in March 2013 and another 15 percent somewhat oppose this proposal.

66 percent do not believe that the interests of residential electric utility customers are taken into consideration when rate increases are proposed.

Nearly seven in ten Delaware residents age 50+ are not aware that there is a Public Advocate Office in Delaware that represents residential electric utility customers and nearly nine in ten say it is important that this office have enough funds to be able to represent the interests of residential customers when rate increases are proposed.

67 percent are not aware of the Delaware Public Advocate Office while 33 percent are aware of this office.

89 percent say it is extremely (33%), very (34%) or somewhat important (23%) that the Delaware Public Advocate Office has sufficient funds to fully represent the interests of residential electric utility customers.

Over four in five Delaware residents age 50+ support continuing to require electricity providers to offer a Standard Plan at the lowest reasonable cost with rates that are adjusted no more than annually.

62 percent strongly support continuing to require electricity providers in Delaware to offer the Standard Plan at the lowest reasonable cost with only annual adjustments and another 20 percent somewhat support this action.


Detailed Findings

Delaware residents age 50+ are concerned about the costs of their electricity going up and many believe that their elected officials are not doing enough to lower the costs of electricity.

Over half are extremely or very concerned about the costs of their electricity going up and another quarter is somewhat concerned about this.

More than three in five say they do not believe that elected officials are doing enough about lowering the cost of electricity. Only 16 percent believe officials are doing enough to lower rates while about another one in five is unsure about what elected officials are doing with regards to keeping electric rates lower.

Concern About the Costs of Electricity Going Up (n=800)*

Opinion on Whether Elected Officials Are Doing Enough to Lower Electricity Rates*

(n=800)

*Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding. *Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

Delaware residents age 50+ most often learn about electric rate increases through notices in the newspaper or in their monthly electric bill.

Over a third says they have learned about increases in their electric rates via a notice in the newspaper or in their monthly electric bill.

About a quarter learns about these increases through radio or television announcements. About one in seven learns about rate increases from family or friends or through online sources while

seven percent say they learn about them some other way. It is noteworthy that 15 percent say they do not learn about electric rate increases until after the rates

have already been raised.

Method of Learning About Electric Rate Increases (n=800)

Extremely concerned,

25%

Very concerned,

29%

Somewhat concerned,

24% Not very

concerned, 12%

Not at all concerned,

10%

Not sure/no answer,

1%

Yes, 16%

No, 63%

Not sure, 22%

No answer, <.5%

11%

7%

12%

14%

15%

24%

31%

34%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not sure

Other way

Online source

Family/friends

Not learned about increases

Radio/TV ad

Notice in monthly bill

Newspaper


Delaware residents age 50+ oppose Delmarva’s proposed electric rate increase of $42 million. In January, Delmarva’s electric rates increased by $22 million. In March, Delmarva requested another electric rate increase of $42 million. Included in this request is an increase in the monthly basic fee which is a fixed monthly fee that everyone pays on top of the amount they pay for the electricity they use. If the rate increase is passed the electric bill for an average residential customer would increase by $7.63 per month. Delmarva says the rate increase will be used to improve customer service, infrastructure and the reliability of electric services while opponents question why another rate increase is needed so soon. After being told this information, survey respondents were asked if they support or oppose the increase in electric rates.

The large majority opposes this rate increase with about nearly three in five strongly opposing the increase and another 15 percent somewhat opposing this rate increase.

Support for or Opposition to Delmarva’s Proposed Electric Rate Increase*

(n=800)

*Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

Delaware residents age 50+ do not believe their best interests are taken into consideration whenever electric rate increases are proposed.

Two-thirds say the interests of residential electric utility customers are not taken into consideration when electric rate increases are proposed while about a quarter believes customer interests are taken into consideration.

Opinion on Whether Interests of Customers Are Taken into Consideration When Electric Rate

Increases Are Proposed (n=800)

Strongly support, 3%

Somewhat support, 7%

Neither support nor

oppose, 13%

Somewhat oppose,

15%

Strongly oppose,

58% Not sure/no answer, 3%

Yes, 27%

No, 66%

Not sure, 7%


Most Delaware residents age 50+ are not aware that there is a Public Advocate Office in the state that represents residential electric utility customers and moreover most believe it is important that such an office has enough funds to represent customers when needed.

Over two-thirds say they are not aware of the Delaware Public Advocate Office that was established to represent residential electric utility customers whenever regulated utility companies seek changes in their rates or the delivery of their services. About a third is aware that this office exists.

More than two-thirds believe it is extremely or very important that this office has sufficient funds to fully represent the interests of residential electric utility customers when electricity providers request a rate increase. Approximately another quarter believe this is somewhat important.

Awareness of the Delaware Public Advocate*

(n=800) Importance of Public Advocate Having Funds to

Represent Consumer Interests* (n=800)



Yes, 33%

No, 67%

Not sure, 1%

Extremely important,

33% Very

important, 34%

Somewhat important,

23% Not very

important, 4%

Not at all important,

4%

Not sure/no answer, 3%


Residents age 50+ in Delaware support continuing to require electricity providers to offer a Standard Plan at the lowest reasonable cost. Delaware electricity providers are currently required to provide a Standard Offer or Standard Plan that is priced at the lowest reasonable rate, which is adjusted once a year. Consumers can use this Standard Plan to compare against other plans offered by alternative electricity providers. The electric rates charged under plans offered by alternative providers can change more frequently, as often as monthly. After being told this, survey respondents were asked if they support or oppose continuing to require electricity providers to offer the Standard Plan.

Over three in five strongly support requiring electricity providers in Delaware to continue to offer a Standard Plan at the lowest reasonable cost with rates that would be adjusted no more than annually. Another one in five somewhat supports this proposal.

More than twice as many say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate for state office who supports changing the way the Standard Plan is offered so that electric rates could change more often than annually compared to those who say they would be more likely to vote for such a candidate. Over two in five say it would make no difference in their voting behavior.

Support for or Opposition to Requiring Electricity Providers to Continue to Offer the

Standard Plan* (n=800)

Likelihood of Voting for a Candidate Who Supports Electricity Rates Changing

More Than Annually (n=800)


Strongly support,

62%

Somewhat support,

20%

Neither support

nor oppose,

8%

Somewhat oppose,

3%

Strongly oppose,

4%

Not sure/no answer,

4%

More likely, 15%

Makes no difference,

45%

Less likely, 38%

Not sure/no answer,

2%


Some Delaware residents age 50+ say they have been contacted by electricity providers, most often by mail, to try to get them to switch their electric company.

One-third says electricity providers have contacted them regarding switching their electric service provider in the past 12 months, since April 2012, while two-thirds say they have not been contacted.

Three in four have been contacted by mail while about three in ten have been contacted by telephone. Seven percent say electric providers have tried to sell their services through door-to-door sales and fewer have been contacted via email or some other way.

Contact by Electricity Providers (n=800)

Method of Contact by Electricity Providers (n=263 Who Say They Were Contacted)

Yes, 33%

No, 66%

Not sure, 1%

6%

3%

7%

31%

75%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other way

Email

Came to home

Telephone

Mail


Delaware residents age 50+ support imposing various requirements on the door-to-door sales of electricity services in order to protect consumers.

Approximately four in five or more support: Displaying a picture identification that shows the salesperson’s name and company they

represent Providing a toll-free telephone number that customers can call to verify the salesperson’s

identity Having criminal background checks done on all salespeople Allowing customers up to 10 days to cancel their contract from the time it is signed

More than twice as many say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who commits to strengthening consumer protections for door-to-door electricity service sales compared to those who say they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate. About three in five say it would make no difference in their voting behavior.

Support for Requirements for Door-to-Door

Electricity Sales (n=800)

Likelihood of Voting for a Candidate Who Commits to Strengthening Consumer

Protections with Regard to Door-to-Door Electricity Sales*

(n=800)


78%

80%

86%

87%

9%

7%

4%

3%

9%

10%

8%

8%

4%

3%

2%

2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Grace period for contract cancellation

Criminal background check

Toll-free telephone number

Display ID

Strongly/somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Strongly/somewhat oppose Not sure/no answer

More likely, 26% Makes no

difference, 59%

Less likely, 12%

Not sure/no answer,

4%


Delaware residents age 50+ believe that the Delaware Public Service Commission’s website should be easy to navigate and contain information on consumer rights and protections, rate increases and complaints against electric providers.

Approximately three in four or more believe it is important that the Delaware Public Service Commission’s website provides: Easily understandable information on consumer rights and protections Easy to find information on consumer rights and protections Information about pending electric rate increasess Information about complaints against electricity providers

Importance of Information on the Delaware Public Service Commission’s Website

(n=800)

74%

80%

80%

82%

16%

11%

12%

12%

8%

8%

6%

5%

1%

2%

2%

2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Information about complaints against providers

Information on pending rate increases

Easy to find information

Easily understandable information

Extremely/very important Somewhat important Not very/not at all important Not sure/no answer


Demographic Profile of Respondents

About two in five survey respondents are ages 50-59 or 60-74 and nearly one in five is ages 75+. Most are married or living with a partner. Most are home owners and live in a single family home. About four in ten have a high school degree or post high school education and half has a college degree or post graduate study or degree. Over four in ten are either retired or working. Just over half has an annual household income of less than $75,000. About a quarter identifies their political party as Independent or Republican, and about a third as Democrat. The majority votes always or most of the time. Just over a third identifies themselves as conservative or moderate in their political views and fewer say they are liberal. Over half says they are an AARP member.

13%

8%

9%

13%

67%

6%

27%

12%

26%

25%

1%

4%

10%

81%

9%

88%

17%

78%

39%

43%

18%

54%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Widowed

Never married

Separated/Divorced

Widowed

Married/Living with Partner

MARITAL STATUS

No HS diploma

HS diploma or GED

Post HS education no degree

College degree

Post graduate study/degree

EDUCATION

Hispanic

Other

Black

White

RACE/ETHNICITY

Rent

Own

HOME OWNERSHIP

Mobile/Town/Apartment/Condo

Single family

HOME TYPE

50-59

60-74

75+

AGE

Female

Male

GENDER

30%

30%

21%

40%

57%

13%

35%

35%

10%

28%

23%

32%

9%

4%

14%

71%

2%

46%

9%

33%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$75k or more

$30k - <$75k

Less than $30k

INCOME

No

Yes

AARP MEMBERSHIP

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

POLITICAL VIEW

Other

Independent

Republican

Democrat

PARTY AFFILIATION

Seldom/Never

Half the time

Most times

Always

VOTING BEHAVIOR

Unemployed

Retired

Employed PT

Employed FT

EMPLOYMENT STATUS


Delaware Electric Utility Survey of Residents Age 50+

Weighted by Age and Gender (Weighted N=800)

Hello, this is ______ calling from Precision Research, Inc., a national opinion research firm. We are not telemarketers and are not trying to sell you anything. We would like to find out your opinions on your electricity service. Your views are important and we would greatly appreciate your participation. All your responses will be kept entirely confidential. S1. Our study is interested in the opinions of certain age groups. Could you please tell me your age as of your last birthday? [IN YEARS] ___________ [RECORD ACTUAL AGE AND USE THE AGE GROUPS BELOW TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY RESPONDENTS WE ARE GETTING IN EACH GROUP. ADDITIONALLY, WE NEED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING AGE BREAKS FOR OUR SEGMENTATION DATA: 50-64; 65+; 50-59, 60-74; AND 75+]

N= 800 50-64 57.6% 65 or older 42.4% [DO NOT READ] Under 50 [ASK TO SPEAK

TO SOMEONE 50 OR OLDER AND REPEAT S1. IF NO ONE 50 OR OLDER, TERMINATE]

-

[DO NOT READ] Refused [TERMINATE] - S2. And just to confirm, are you a resident of [INSERT CORRECT STATE]?

N= 800 Yes 100.0% No -

S3. What is the name of the electric company that you buy your electricity from? [DO NOT READ THE LIST BELOW. THE LIST IS JUST FOR CODING PURPOSES.]

N= 800 Delmarva Power 59.4% Delaware Electric Cooperative 24.3% NRG Energy 0.1% City of Milford Electric Department 2.8% WGS (Washington Gas Energy) 1.0% Other company 12.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] [THANK ANDTERMINATE] - Refused [DO NOT READ] [THANK AND TERMINATE] -

D1. [RECORD RESPONDENT’S GENDER. ASK ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY:] “To ensure it is recorded accurately, could you please state your gender?

N= 800 Male 45.9% Female 54.1% Refused [DO NOT READ] -


Main Questionnaire Q1. How concerned are you about the costs of your electricity going up? Are you extremely concerned, very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned or not at all concerned?

N= 800 Extremely concerned 24.8% Very concerned 28.6% Somewhat concerned 23.9% Not very concerned 11.6% Not at all concerned 9.9% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1.1% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.2%

Q2. Do you believe your state elected officials are doing enough to lower the cost of your electricity bill?

N= 800 Yes 15.6% No 62.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 21.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.2%

Q3. Delaware residents are notified when an electricity provider wants to raise their rates for customers. In the past 12 months, since April 2012, have you learned about potential electric rate increases through [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, C, D AND E. ALWAYS READ F LAST]:?

N= 800 A notice in the newspaper 34.2% A radio or television announcement 24.2% Family or friends 14.0% A notice in your monthly electric bill 30.6% An online source, such as a news service 12.2% Or have you not learned about electric rate increases until after the rates have been raised? [ALWAYS READ THIS OPTION LAST]

14.5%

Some other way [DO NOT READ BUT RECORD RESPONSE]

6.7%

Not sure [DO NOT READ] 10.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.5%

Q4. In the past 12 months, since April 2012, have any electricity providers contacted you about switching from your current electricity provider?

N= 800 Yes [GO TO QUESTION 5] 32.9% No [GO TO QUESTION 6] 65.7% Not sure [DO NOT READ] [GO TO QUESTION 6] 1.4% Refused [DO NOT READ] [GO TO QUESTION 6] -


Q5. How have these electricity providers contacted you? Did they contact you by telephone, mail, email, or did they come to your home? [ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES]

N= 263 Telephone 31.0% Mail 75.3% Email 3.3% Came to my home 7.0% Some other way [DO NOT READ BUT RECORD RESPONSE]

5.8%

Not sure [DO NOT READ] - Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.5%

Q6. Currently, electricity providers are allowed to sell their services door to door. How strongly do you support or oppose requiring electricity providers to [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, C AND D]: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose?

A. Have a criminal background check done

N= 800 Strongly support 67.0% Somewhat support 12.8% Neither support nor oppose 6.9% Somewhat oppose 2.6% Strongly oppose 7.4% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 3.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] -

B. Display a picture id that shows the salesperson’s name and

company they represent

N= 800 Strongly support 81.0% Somewhat support 6.3% Neither support nor oppose 3.0% Somewhat oppose 2.8% Strongly oppose 4.8% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 2.1% Refused [DO NOT READ] -


C. Provide a toll-free telephone number that potential customers can

call to verify the salesperson’s identity

N= 800 Strongly support 73.5% Somewhat support 12.7% Neither support nor oppose 4.2% Somewhat oppose 3.1% Strongly oppose 4.9% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.1%

D. Allow customers up to 10 days to cancel their contract from the

time it is signed


Q7. If a candidate for state office in Delaware commits to strengthening consumer protections with regard to selling electricity service door to door, would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely, or would it make no difference?

N= 800 More likely 25.7% Make no difference 58.5% Less likely 11.6% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 3.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.5%


8. Delaware electricity providers are currently required to provide a Standard Offer or Standard Plan that is priced at the lowest reasonable rate, which is adjusted once a year. Consumers can use this standard plan to compare against other plans offered by alternative electricity providers. The electric rates charged under plans offered by alternative providers can change more frequently, as often as monthly. How strongly do you support or oppose continuing to require Delaware electricity providers to offer a Standard Plan at the lowest reasonable rate with annual adjustments? Do you strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose?


Q9. If a candidate for state office in Delaware supports legislation that would change the way the Standard Plan is offered by electricity providers so that the rates would be adjusted more frequently than once a year, would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely, or would it make no difference?

N= 800 More likely 15.1% Make no difference 44.5% Less likely 37.9% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 2.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.1%

Q10. The Delaware Public Service Commission has a website that contains information on electricity providers in the state. How important do you think it is that the Delaware Public Service Commission’s website provides [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, C AND D]:?

A. Easy to find information on consumer rights and protections

N= 800 Extremely important 45.7% Very important 33.9% Somewhat important 12.2% Not very important 2.0% Not at all important 4.4% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.1%


B. Information about pending electric rate increases

N= 800 Extremely important 46.4% Very important 33.1% Somewhat important 11.1% Not very important 2.8% Not at all important 4.8% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1.8% Refused [DO NOT READ] -

C. Information about complaints involving electricity providers


D. Easily understandable information on consumer rights and

protections



Q11. In January Delmarva’s electric rates increased by $22 million. In March, Delmarva requested another electric rate increase of $42 million. Included in this request is an increase in the monthly basic fee which is a fixed monthly fee that everyone pays on top of the amount they pay for the electricity they use. If the rate increase is passed the electric bill for an average residential customer would increase by $7.63 per month. Delmarva says the rate increase will be used to improve customer service, infrastructure and the reliability of electric services while opponents question why another rate increase is needed so soon. How strongly do you support or oppose this electric rate increase? Do you strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose?


Q12. When electric rate increases are proposed, do you believe the interests of residential utility customers like yourself are represented and taken into consideration?

N= 800 Yes 26.9% No 66.3% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 6.8% Refused [DO NOT READ] -

Q13. Are you aware that there is a Delaware Public Advocate Office that represents residential electric utility customers like you?

N= 800 Yes 32.6% No [READ PUBLIC ADVOCATE DESCRIPTION BELOW]

66.5%

Not sure [DO NOT READ] [READ PUBLIC ADVOCATE DESCRIPTION BELOW]

0.9%

Refused [DO NOT READ] [READ PUBLIC ADVOCATE DESCRIPTION BELOW]

-


[BEFORE READING QUESTION 14, READ THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION ONLY TO THOSE RESPONDENTS WHO ANSWER “NO,” “NOT SURE,” OR “REFUSE” IN QUESTION 13: Delaware has a Public Advocate Office that represents utility customers whenever regulated utility companies seek changes in their delivery of services or changes in their rates.] Q14. How important do you think it is that the Delaware Public Advocate Office has sufficient funds to fully represent the interests of residential electric utility customers when electricity providers request a rate increase?


Demographics The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. D2. What is your current marital status? Are you [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

N= 800 Married 63.3% Not married, living with your partner or significant other

3.6%

Separated 0.9% Divorced 8.3% Widowed 13.3% Or are you currently single and never married 7.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] - Refused [DO NOT READ] 3.1%

D3. [IF D2 = 1 ASK: “Are you or your spouse currently a member of A-A-R-P?” IF D2 = 2 ASK: “Are you or your partner currently a member of AARP?” OTHERWISE ASK “Are you currently a member of AARP?”]



D4. Thinking about who lives in your household, do you currently [INSERT AND READ ITEMS A THROUGH C BELOW]?

N= 800 Have any children under age 18 living with you 11.7% Have any children over age 18 living with you 20.7% Have any children away at college 8.2% None of the above 67.7% Not sure 0.1% Refused 2.4%

D5. What is the highest level of education that you completed? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]

N= 800 0 to 12th grade, but with no diploma 5.6% High school graduate or equivalent 27.1% Post high school education, but with no degree 12.1% 2 year degree 12.2% 4 year degree 14.1% Post graduate study, but with no degree 6.0% Graduate or professional degree 19.4% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 3.2%

D6. Which of the following best describes your current employment status? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]

N= 800 Self-employed full-time 5.2% Self-employed part-time 2.6% Employed full-time 28.1% Employed part-time 6.5% Retired and not working at all 45.7% Unemployed and looking for work 2.2% Or are you not in the labor force for other reasons 6.9% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 2.3%

D7. Do you own or rent your primary residence?

N= 800 Own 87.7% Rent 9.1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 2.6%


D8. What type of home is your primary residence? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

N= 800 Single family home 78.4% Mobile home 6.8% Town home or duplex 4.3% Apartment 3.7% Condominium or coop 2.4% Something else [DO NOT READ] 2.1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.1% Refused [DO NOT READ] 2.2%

D9. Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent?


D10. What is your race? Are you [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

N= 800 White or Caucasian 81.4% Black or African American 10.3% Native American or Alaskan Native 0.8% Asian 0.9% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0.3% Or are you some other race? [Please specify:________]

1.7%

Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 4.3%

D11. Thinking about your state elections for [INSERT CORRECT STATE] Governor and Legislators in the last 10 years, which of the following best describes your voting behavior? Would you say you vote always, most of the time, about half of the time, seldom, or would you say you never vote?

N= 800 Always 70.9% Most of the time 13.9% About half of the time 3.8% Seldom 3.0% Never 5.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 2.4%


D12. Do you consider yourself to be a [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, C, and D.]?

N= 800 Democrat 31.9% Republican 22.5% Independent 27.9% Tea Party member 1.9% Other [DO NOT READ] 8.1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 2.0% Refused [DO NOT READ] 5.8%

D13. How would you characterize your political views? Would you say you are [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, and C. ]?

N= 800 Conservative 34.8% Moderate 34.9% Liberal 12.5% None of these [DO NOT READ] 11.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 4.8% Refused [DO NOT READ] 1.5%

D14. We realize income is a private matter and so rather than ask you anything specific about your income, I’d like to ask you to please stop me when I get to the category that includes your household’s income before taxes in 2012. Was it [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

N= 800 Less than $10,000 2.9% $10,000 to less than $20,000 8.0% $20,000 to less than $30,000 9.6% $30,000 to less than $40,000 7.0% $40,000 to less than $50,000 9.4% $50,000 to less than $60,000 6.3% $60,000 to less than $75,000 7.5% $75,000 to less than $100,000 12.4% $100,000 to less than $125,000 8.4% $125,000 to less than $150,000 3.5% $150,000 to less than $200,000 3.0% $200,000 or more 2.2% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 2.6% Refused [DO NOT READ] 17.1%

D15. What is your 5-digit zip code? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


Full Methodology The 2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+ on Electric Utilities was conducted through telephone interviews with a sample of 800 respondents ages 50 and older drawn at random from the state of Delaware. The interviews were conducted in English by Precision Opinion, Inc. from April 12 through April 19, 2013. The results from the study were weighted by age and gender. The margin of error for the complete set of 800 interviews is ±3.5%. Respondents were screened to insure that they were residents of Delaware and age 50 or older. The questionnaire was developed by AARP staff. In order to improve the quality of the data, the questionnaire was pretested with a small number of respondents. The pretest interviews were monitored by Precision Opinion, Inc. and AARP staff. The response rate for this study was 32 percent and was calculated using AAPOR’s response rate 3 method. The cooperation rate was 83 percent as calculated using AAPOR’s cooperation rate 3 method.1 Throughout the report, statistics representing survey responses are reported in percentages which may not add up to 100 due to rounding and non-response. Also due to rounding, the percentages reported in the text may vary slightly from those in the annotation or in graphs.

1 Calculated using AAPOR’s Outcome Rate Calculator Version 2.1, May 2003

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

State Research brings the right knowledge at the right time to our state and national partners in support of their efforts to improve the lives of people age 50+. State Research consultants provide strategic insights and actionable research to attain measurable state and national outcomes. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. AARP staff from the Delaware State Office, Campaigns, State Advocacy and Strategy Integration (SASI) and State Research contributed to the design, implementation and reporting of this study. Special thanks go to AARP staff including Brian Posey, Associate State Director of Advocacy in Delaware; Jodi Sakol, Chryste Hall, and Steven Griffin, Campaigns; Janee Briesemeister, SASI; Rachelle Cummins, Kate Bridges, Darlene Matthews and Cheryl Barnes, State Research; and Jami Wyatt and Michael Schuster, Office of General Counsel. Please contact Joanne Binette at 202-434-6303 for more information regarding this survey.

Research and Strategic Analysis For more information about this survey, please contact Joanne Binette at:

202.434.6303 or e-mail [email protected]

http://www.aarp.org/

http://www.aarp.org/

mailto:[email protected]

2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+ …...2013 AARP Survey of Delaware Residents Age 50+...

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