Bipartisan Research Team

220-3956

Voter Attitudes Toward Energy Issues in Ohio

Key Findings from a Statewide Voter Survey

August 2014

2

Bipartisan Research Team

Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) – a national Democratic opinion research firm with offices in Oakland, Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin – has specialized in public policy oriented opinion research since 1981. The firm has assisted hundreds of political campaigns at every level of the ballot – from President to City Council – with opinion research and strategic guidance. FM3 also provides research and strategic consulting to public agencies, businesses and public interest organizations nationwide.

Public Opinion Strategies is the largest Republican polling firm in the country. Since the firm’s founding in 1991, they have completed more than 10,000 research projects, interviewing more than five million Americans across the United States. Media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNBC, and National Public Radio rely on Public Opinion Strategies to conduct their polling. The firm conducts polling on behalf of hundreds of political campaigns, as well as trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, government entities and industry coalitions throughout the nation.

As a bipartisan team, FM3 and Public Opinion Strategies have researched a wide range of issues for nearly a decade, in particular on conservation-related initiatives and policies. Together, the two firms have jointly conducted research on behalf of political campaigns, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and public agencies in 42 states and nationally.

Dave Metz – FM3

Lori Weigel – POS

3

Methodology

• Survey conducted July 26 – August 3, 2014

• Interviews on landline and wireless phones with 405 randomly-selected Ohio registered voters

• Margin of sampling error of +/-4.9%

4

Exploring Energy Issues

5

Energy efficiency

Solar

Wind

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

80%

70%

51%

13%

20%

34% 9% 5%

Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA

Voters strongly support increased use of energy efficiency, solar and wind power.

Q6f/h/l. ^Not Part of Split Sample

Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.

Total Supp.

Total Opp.

94% 4%

90% 8%

85% 14%

6

^Natural gas

Hydropower

^Coal

Nuclear

Biomass

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

49%

37%

29%

21%

13%

39%

45%

36%

32%

32%

6%

7%

20%

20%

7%

11%

5%

42%

12%

23%

6%


Voters support increasing the use of many sources of energy, with varying intensity.

Q6a/b/d/e/i. ^Not Part of Split Sample

Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.

Total Supp.

Total Opp.

88% 10%

82% 7%

65% 32%

53% 43%

46% 13%

7

Support for Increased Energy Efficiency, by Party

6h. Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs. Split Sample

Energy Efficiency by Party

Democrats Independents Republicans0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.81 0.730.85

0.11 0.190.11

3% 4% 4%0.04 0.04 0

Strongly Support Somewhat Support Total Oppose DK/NA

92% 93% 96%

8

Support for Increased Energy Efficiency, by Gender


Energy Efficiency by Gender

Men Women0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.750.85

0.170.1

6%2%0.02 0.03


92% 95%

9

Support for Increased Energy Efficiency, by Age


Energy Efficiency by Age

18-49 50-64 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.880.78 0.7

0.070.17

0.2

5% 3% 2%0 0.020.09


95% 95%89%

10

$0-$25,000

$25,000-$50,000

$50,000-$75,000

$75,000-$100,000

$100,000+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.87 0.82 0.79 0.73 0.79

0.09 0.11 0.17 0.24 0.09

0% 2% 2% 2%10%

0.04 0.05 0.02 0 0.03


Support for Increased Energy Efficiency, by Household Income


Energy Efficiency by Income

96% 93% 96% 98%88%

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Support for Increased Use of Wind Energy, by Party

6f. Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs. Split Sample

Wind by Party


20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.680.45 0.37

0.22

0.380.44

8%17% 19%

0.01 0 0


91%83% 81%

12

$0-$25,000

$25,000-$50,000

$50,000-$75,000

$75,000-$100,000

$100,000+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0.590.47 0.47 0.45

0.64

0.270.35 0.34 0.37

0.3

14% 16% 19% 18%7%

0 0.02 0 0 0


Support for Increased Wind Energy, by Household Income

6f. Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs. Split Sample

Wind by Income

86% 83% 81% 82%

93%

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Voters see many benefits to renewables.

Thinking about renewable energy like wind and solar power, please tell me if you think each of the following phrases describe renewable energy – very well, somewhat well,

not very well, or not at all well.

Allow us to be more self-reliant for energy

Will help to make our energy supply more secure

Reliable

An increasing source of good jobs

Affordable

The best power source for our state

Increasingly able to replace coal and fossil fuels

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

43%

40%

27%

37%

26%

28%

29%

44%

39%

49%

36%

43%

39%

29%

5%

12%

14%

14%

14%

21%

22%

7%

7%

6%

8%

11%

6%

15%

5%

5%

6%

5%

Very Well Smwt. Well Not Very Well Not At All Well No Opin./DK/NA

Q14. Split Sample

Total Well

Total Not Well

86% 12%

79% 19%

76% 20%

73% 22%

70% 25%

67% 27%

58% 37%

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We ought to try to get our energy from as many diverse sources as we can, rather

than primarily relying onjust a few.

Rather than using more coal, we should move toward cleaner sources of energy.

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

70%

49%

20%

26%

5%

9% 14%

Strng. Agr. Smwt. Agr. Smwt. Disagr. Strng. Disagr. DK/NA

Voters want to diversify energy sources and transition away from coal.

91%

75%

7a & c. Now I'm going to read you a series of statements about energy. Please tell whether you generally agree or disagree. Split Sample

8%

23%

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Which of the following do you think should be the highest priority for meeting America’s energy needs?

Reducing our need for oil, natural gas and coal by increasing energy efficiency and

expanding our use of clean and renewable energy

Drilling and digging for more oil, natural gas, and coal within the United States

Both/Neither/DK/NA

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%

59%

32%

9%

Voters would rather reduce the need for fossil fuels by expanding the use of energy efficiency and renewables.

Q9.

OR

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Energy and the Economy

17

One of Most/Very

Impt.

84%

80%

78%

77%

55%

46%

35%

44%

29%

30%

Voters see renewables as a bigger contributor to their economy than coal

or natural gas.

4. Thinking about the economy in your state, how important is each of the following industries to the economy in your state: one of the most important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important? Split Sample

Thinking about the economy in your state, how important is each of the following industries to the economy in your state: one of the most important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important?

Health care

Agriculture

Farming

Manufacturing

Computers and high technology

Renewable energy, including wind and solar power

Shale gas drilling

Natural gas drilling

Coal mining

Tourism and recreation

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

26%

20%

17%

16%

9%

9%

8%

7%

6%

57%

60%

62%

61%

46%

38%

27%

36%

23%

27%

15%

20%

19%

20%

35%

32%

31%

37%

35%

52%

8%

22%

25%

16%

31%

17%

9%

5%

One of Most Impt. Very Impt. Smwt. Impt. Not Too Impt. DK/NA

18

Voters believe increasing the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency

projects will create new jobs….

Q10 & Q12. Split Sample

Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources like

wind and solar power….

Energy efficiency projects like weatherizing and insulating buildings, and upgrading appliances and technology in

homes and businesses ….

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%

56%

20%

11%

13%

Will create new jobs in Ohio

Will not affect jobs in Ohio

Will cost jobs in Ohio

All/None/DK

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%

65%

15%

11%

9%

76%Believe It

Either Does Not Affect/

Creates Jobs

80%Believe It

Either Does Not Affect/

Creates Jobs

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…and reduce energy costs.

Q11 & Q13. Split Sample

Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources like

wind and solar power….

Energy efficiency projects like weatherizing and insulating buildings,

and upgrading appliances and technology in homes and businesses ….

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%

47%

25%

20%

8%

Will reduce energy costs in Ohio

Will not affect energy costs in Ohio

Will increase energy costs in Ohio

All/None/DK

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%

63%

17%

12%

8%

72%Believe It

Either Does Not Affect/Reduces

Costs

80%Believe It

Either Does Not Affect/Reduces

Costs

20

Policy Proposals

2116a. I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in Ohio. Please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose. Not Part of Split Sample

Strongly support

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

DK/NA

0% 15% 30% 45% 60%

37%

34%

10%

15%

4%

Total Support

72%

Total Oppose

24%

Voters like the idea of an expanded RES.

Requiring that Ohio get 25% of its electricity from renewable sources

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20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

87%

70%

56%

9%

28%

40%

4% 2% 5%

Total Support Total Oppose DK/NA

Idea of Expanding RES by Party

Majorities of voters across party lines back the idea of an expanded RES.

16a. I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in Ohio. Please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose. Not Part of Split Sample

23

Total Supp.

Total Opp.

85% 14%

85% 13%

83% 17%

76% 22%

63% 33%

61% 34%

Investing in retraining workers to work in clean energy jobs such as wind and solar

Making it more affordable for residents and businesses to install solar power at their homes or businesses

Increasing requirements for utilities to invest in energy efficiency improvements in homes and businesses

Increasing state government investment in the development of clean, renewable energy sources

Closing down older coal-burning power plants and replacing them with greater use of renewable energy and energy efficiency

Requiring utilities to double the amount of renewable energy they provide

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

65%

62%

54%

48%

37%

27%

19%

23%

29%

28%

26%

34%

7%

6%

12%

11%

13%

19%

7%

7%

5%

11%

20%

15% 5%


They also support a wide range of other policy proposals to increase clean

energy use.

16c/d/e/h/i/j. I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in Ohio. Please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose. Split Sample

24

Messaging for Candidates

25

In thinking about the election for state office in your area later this year, I am going to read you a series of pairs of descriptions of different candidates. Please tell me

which candidate in each pair you think you would be most likely to vote for:

A candidate who says requiring electric utilities to help customers increase energy efficiency will

reduce air pollution and will save ratepayers money

A candidate who says requiring electric utilities to help customers increase energy efficiency is a

“hidden tax” that will cost ratepayers money

Both/Neither/DK/NA

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%

69%

23%

8%

OR

Q21c.

Voters reject candidates who frame energy efficiency

requirementsas a “hidden tax.”

26

In thinking about the election for state office in your area later this year, I am going to read you a series of pairs of descriptions of different candidates. Please tell me

which candidate in each pair you think you would be most likely to vote for:

A candidate who wants to promote more use of clean, renewable energy – like wind and solar

power – in Ohio

A candidate who wants to continue to rely on coal, natural gas or nuclear power to meet

Ohio's energy needs

Both/Neither/DK/NA

0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%

64%

31%

5%

OR

Voters also favor a candidate who wants a transition to renewables.

Q21b.

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20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

82%

61%

47%

15%

33%

47%

3% 6% 7%

More Renewables Traditional Sources Both/Neither/DK/NA

Preferred Candidate Energy Position by Party

Democrats and independents favor a candidate who will switch to clean energy, and GOP voters

are split.

21b. In thinking about the election for state office in your area later this year, I am going to read you a series of pairs of descriptions of different candidates. Please tell me which candidate in each pair you think you would be most likely to vote for:

28

Difference

+74%

+71%

+65%

+64%

+56%

The strongest positioning for a candidate focuses on middle-income job

creation.

Q20. Split Sample

In thinking about the elections for state office this November, please tell me how a candidate taking each of the following positions would impact your vote – would it make

you more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate, or would it not make much difference in your vote decision?

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

82%

77%

74%

75%

68%

8%

6%

9%

11%

12%

Total More Likely Total Less LikelyA candidate who wants to improve the economy

by creating more middle-income jobs in the clean energy and clean technology industries, and

training Ohio workers to fill themA candidate who wants to reduce government red tape so consumers can choose rooftop solar and

any form of financing it

A candidate who wants to make Ohio a leader in developing innovative clean energy technologies

A candidate who wants to improve the economy by creating more middle-income jobs in the clean

energy and clean technology industries

A candidate who wants to promote more use of renewable energy – like wind and solar power

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The only negative profile focuses on a candidate who wants to cut support for

clean energy.

20. In thinking about the elections for state office this November, please tell me how a candidate taking each of the following positions would impact your vote – would it make you more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate, or would it not make much difference in your vote decision? Split Sample

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

64%

65%

62%

61%

57%

34%

11%

15%

18%

25%

29%

46%

Total More Likely Total Less Likely Difference

+53%

+50%

+44%

+36%

+28%

-12%

A candidate who will work to expand transportation options and provide more

alternatives to driving, like light rail buses, and more opportunities to walk and bike

A candidate who supports state laws requiring utilities to use more clean energy and increase

their energy efficiency

A candidate who wants to stop taxpayer support for oil and gas companies

A candidate who wants to reduce government red tape so that there can be more oil and gas

development in your state

A candidate who wants to keep energy prices low, regardless of where the energy comes from

A candidate who wants to stop taxpayer support for solar and wind energy companies

17145 West 62nd CircleGolden, CO 80403

Phone (303) 324-7655Fax (303) 433-4253

[email protected]

1999 Harrison St., Suite 1290Oakland, CA 94612

Phone (510) 451-9521Fax (510) 451-0384

[email protected]

Bipartisan Research Team

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