1. Trust, Energy and How
Americans Make
Energy Decisions
December 2016

2. 1,000 Americans Surveyed
We commissioned an independent survey of 1,000+ Americans from across the United States,
representing a wide demographic across income and education levels.
Gender:
Education:
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
Female
52%
Male
48%
Age:
Millennials
32%
GenX
27%
Baby Boomers
33%
41% HS Grad or less
27% College Incomplete
32% College Grad
Income Level: <$35k: 29%
$35-<$50k: 17%
$50k-$75k: 21%
$75k-<$100k: 15%
$100k+: 18%

3. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
AMERICANS SAY THEY’RE WELL
INFORMED ON ENERGY

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Consumer Actively Seek Energy Information
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
of respondents profess
to be at least “somewhat
informed” about energy
sources and the industry
overall
described themselves
as “informed or very
informed”
indicated they get
information or hear about
energy issues more than a
few times a week

5. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
WHAT DO AMERICANS REALLY KNOW
ABOUT ENERGY? NOT AS MUCH AS
THEY THINK THEY DO.

6. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
AMERICANS SERIOUSLY OVERESTIMATE
HOW MUCH ELECTRICTY WE GET FROM
RENEWABLES

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Perception vs. Reality in Energy Use
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016

8. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
AND THEY’RE OVERLY OPTIMISTIC
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLES

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Predictions Are Overly Optimistic
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016

10. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
SO, HOW DO AMERICANS VALUE
ENERGY CHOICES?

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Energy Choices Based Upon Personal and Societal Differ
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
53% Societal Impact
38% Personal Impact
Societal energy choices are driven by concerns for the
Environment
Health
Future Generations
Finances
Personal Health
Personal impact energy concerns are motivated by

12. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
AND WHOM DO THEY TRUST FOR
INFORMATION?

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Which energy industries are
considered most trustworthy
for information?
Solar Wins
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
Solar
Natural Gas
Wind
Oil
Nuclear
Coal

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TV News Stands Out as the Go-to Energy Information Resource
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016

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Gender Differences by Source
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
Female
TV
Radio
Newspaper
Online
Social
Websites
Environmental website
Family/friends
Other
None
27.2%
10.0%
16.9%
20.4%
10.6%
2.0%
1.8%
8.7%
0.9%
1.5%
TV
Radio
Newspaper
Online
Social
Websites
Environmental website
Family/friends
Other
None
Male
28.6%
7.7%
14.9%
17.6%
12.7%
0.8%
3.1%
13.0%
0.6%
1.0%

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What Are the Most Important Future Energy Solutions?
Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
Energy Efficient
Technologies
Solar Wind Natural Gas

17. Makovsky Energy Survey 2016
How would you expect the results to
change next year?
What would you also ask?

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Makovsky
Makovsky is one of the nation’s leading integrated
communications agencies and a four-time
consecutive winner of “PR Agency of the Year.” As
an independent NYC-based agency for 35 years,
with an office in Washington, D.C., Makovsky is built
on The Power of Specialized Thinking to spark
connections and drive change.
Deep energy sector, digital communications
expertise and a laser focus on client results have led
to 95% year-to-year client retention-–the ultimate
measure of success.
Who We Are:

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The DC Energy Team
MAKOVSKY
(From left to right)
Andy Beck
Former Head of DOE Communications
Executive Vice President
Loretta Prencipe
Attorney
Energy, Community & Crisis
Senior Vice President
Justin Chase
Chief Digital Officer
Samantha Nevels
Energy & Social Media Expert

20. Thank you
Loretta Prencipe
1775 I St NW, Suite 1150, Washington, D.C. 20006
lprencipe@makosky.com