Only One in Ten Americans Are Very Knowledgeable About Sources of Electricity

Only one in five are very interested in keeping up to date on energy issues
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
While Congress debates the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, much
education is needed to enhance public knowledge, understanding and interest in
various sources of electrical power, their associated benefits and risks and the
value of becoming more energy efficient.

These are some of the results from The Harris Poll®, a new study of 2,177 U.S.
adults surveyed online between June 8 and 15, 2009 by Harris Interactive®.

Only one in ten Americans (9%) are very knowledgeable about sources of
electrical power, while half (50%) are fairly knowledgeable. Further, only one
in five U.S. adults (21%) are very interested in keeping up to date about energy
issues related to the sources of electrical power and energy efficiency with 53%
saying they are fairly interested.

When it comes to renewable sources of energy and natural gas, the public
overwhelmingly indicates that the benefit of the source outweigh the risks. At
least two-thirds of Americans believe that when used, the benefits of solar
(82%), wind/turbine (78%), hydroelectric (water) (73%) and natural gas (66%)
outweigh any risks associated with the different sources.

Coal, which provides approximately half (49%) of electrical power production in
the United States and is the most heavily used source of energy, is perceived
differently. Two in five Americans (42%) say the risks of using coal outweigh
the benefits while 36% believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Further, almost
one-quarter of Americans (22%) say they are not at all sure. Nuclear energy,
which is seeing resurgence in the number of new plants, leans towards the
benefits with 44% of Americans saying the benefits outweigh the risks and 34%
believing the risks outweigh the benefits. With regard to biomass and
geothermal, large numbers (60% and 40% respectively) are not at all sure.

So What?

With limited knowledge and interest in the topic, as the debate over the Energy
bill rages on, public opinion can be based on incomplete or inaccurate
information about the various sources of energy and their perceived benefits and
risks. Significant room exists to educate the public on the pros and cons of
each source of energy, including factors such as; current and future use of each
source, reliability, cost, environmental impacts and ways to become more energy
efficient. Much work is needed by Congress, energy companies and communities to
engage consumers in the dialogue around this new energy economy.

Methodology

This Harris Poll® was conducted online within the United States June 8 and 15,
2009, among 2,177 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex,
race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where
necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the
population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents`
propensity to be online. Full data tables and methodology are available at
www.harrisinteractive.com.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council
on Public Polls.

J36306

Q755, 760, 765

The Harris Poll®#85, July 30, 2009

By Carol Gstalder, Senior Vice President, Business and Industrial Research
Group, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and
rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we
assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients
globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of
independent market research firms. For more information, please visit
www.harrisinteractive.com.

Harris Interactive Inc. 7/09

Harris Interactive
Carol Fricke, 585-272-8400
press@harrisinteractive.net

Copyright Business Wire 2009