Results from the UT Energy Poll, Fall 2012, presented at The National Press Club on Oct. 16, 2012 by Dean Thomas Gilligan, Dr. Wayne Hoyer, and Sheril Kirshenbaum. Results include questions on the impact of energy policies on voter perceptions regarding the 2012 Presidential Election. For more: http://www.utenergypoll.com/

1. Energy and The Election
The National Press Club
October 16, 2012
Dean Thomas Gilligan
The McCombs School of Business
Dr. Wayne Hoyer Sheril Kirshenbaum
Executive Director of The Energy Poll Project 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, September 2012 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
Third release
• Online survey conducted September 6-17, 2012
• 2,092 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: Energy and the Election
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 3

4. When it comes to dealing with energy issues that face our
nation, do you think things are headed in the...?
September 2011 Base: 3406, March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 4

5. Looking ahead, do you expect that 6 months from today, the
price for gasoline will…?
September 2011 Base: 3406, March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 5

6. How likely are you to seek more information about each of the
following in the next 6 months?
March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 6

7. Over the next five years, how do you think U.S. energy policy will
affect your choices for more affordable and clean energy?
March 2012 Base: 2371, September 2012 Base: 2092
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 7

8. Over the next five years, how do you think U.S. energy policy will
affect your choices for more affordable and clean energy?
September 2012 Base: 2092
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 8

9. Who do you trust to provide information on
how to conserve energy?
%
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 9

10. Who do you trust to provide information on
how to conserve energy?
%
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 10

11. Do you trust the academic/scientific community to provide
information on how to conserve energy?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 11

12. Do you trust oil and gas companies to provide
information on how to conserve energy?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 12

13. 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, September 2012 Page 13

14. 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, September 2012 Page 14

15. 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, September 2012 Page 15

16. Which benefits do you most associate with
renewable energy sources?
%
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 16

17. Which benefits do you most associate with
renewable energy sources?
%
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 17

18. How satisfied are you with the job that each is doing to
address the energy issues most important to you?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 18

19. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are
you about how energy is produced, delivered and used?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 19

20. Compared to most people you know, how knowledgeable are
you about how energy is produced, delivered and used?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 20

21. Do you think climate change is occurring?
March 2012 Base: 2371, July 2012 Base: 1029. September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 21

22. Do you think climate change is occurring?
Sep-12
80% of both
African
Americans and
Hispanics say
climate change is
occurring
March 2012 Base: 2371, July 2012 Base: 1029. September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 22

23. Do you think climate change is occurring?
March 2012 Base: 2371, July 2012 Base: 1029. September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 23

24. Do you think climate change is occurring?
Alabama
Arkansas
District of Columbia
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
March 2012 Base: 2371, July 2012 Base: 1029. September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 24

25. Indicate if you think each of the following is a significant factor
contributing to global climate change:
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 25

26. Do you support or oppose the use of nuclear energy?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 26

27. Do you support or oppose the use of nuclear energy?
37% of those who say
climate change is
occurring support nuclear
60% of those who say
climate change isn’t
occurring support
nuclear
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 27

28. Which presidential candidate do you believe has the
best energy platform for the country?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 28

29. Which presidential candidate do you believe has the
best energy platform for the country?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 29

30. Would you be more likely to vote for a
presidential candidate who supports..?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 30

31. Would you be more likely to vote for a
presidential candidate who supports..?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 31

32. Would you be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate
who supports decreasing the use of coal as an energy source?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 32

33. How concerned are you about each of the following?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 33

34. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement:
“The President has the power to manage the cost of gasoline.”
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 34

35. Who or what do you believe is most responsible for
the price of gasoline at the pump?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 35

36. Would you be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who
promises to make gasoline less expensive?
September 2012 Base: 2092.
All results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 36

37. %
Percentage of people who selected the issues as 1st or 2nd choices.
July 2012, UT Energy Poll, with American Clean Skies Foundation and Politico All
results based on weighted data
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 37

38. For more information:
www.utenergypoll.com
sheril.kirshenbaum@mccombs.utexas.edu
(512) 232-5942
Source: University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll, September 2012 Page 38