New Survey Shows 3 out of 4 North Carolina Voters Want Next President to Make Advanced Energy an Economic Priority

85 Percent Say Political Leaders Should Do More To Push Advanced Energy; 92 Percent Call It Important for U.S. to be a Leader in Advanced Energy Technologies

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 80 percent of likely voters in North Carolina say that the nation's next President should make growing and developing advanced energy a top economic priority for the nation, according to a new survey released today.

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The survey, conducted for the Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEEI), found that 87 percent of North Carolina voters believe advanced energy – defined as energy products, technologies, and services that are secure, clean, and affordable over the long term – are very important or somewhat important to the nation's future. The survey also found that 85 percent of the state's voters believe it is important for political leaders to do more to further advanced energy in the United States.

"This new survey shows that the people of North Carolina strongly believe advanced energy is central to the country's economic future," said Graham Richard, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy, a national organization representing advanced energy businesses, and of AEEI, its educational and charitable affiliate.  "In North Carolina – and all across the nation – Americans see advanced energy as an engine that can fuel our economy and create good-paying jobs."

With global energy consumption projected to rise nearly 40 percent by 2030, the nation's future prosperity depends on new ways to meet the world's energy needs. Advanced energy, which encompasses the best available commercial technologies for meeting energy needs, presents an economic opportunity for American companies and workers, which have led every technology- and innovation-driven transformation of the past century.

Results in Detail:

• 77 percent of North Carolina voters think it is either very important or somewhat important that the next president make growing and developing advanced energy to power America's economy a top priority.
  • 87 percent of Democrats agreed; 79 percent of Republicans and 74 percent of Independents agreed.
  • 64 percent of those who described themselves as sympathetic to the Tea Party thought it was important for next President to prioritize on advanced energy.
  • The largest percentage of respondents saying it is very important was in the Mountain/west part of North Carolina, with 54 percent.  77 percent of rural voters described it as very or somewhat important.
• 87 percent of North Carolina likely voters believe advanced energy is very important or somewhat important to America's future.
  • More than half of the respondents (56 percent) deemed it very important.
  • Political party affiliation: Democrats (92 percent believe important); Republicans (80 percent); and Independents (89 percent).
• 85 percent believe it is very or somewhat important for nation's political leaders to do more to further advanced energy in the United States.
  • The majority (51 percent) believes it is very important and an additional 34 percent find it to be somewhat important.
• When thinking about how electricity is made and delivered in the U.S., the majority (50 percent) people thought our country had a major problem.
  • 9 percent thought it was in crisis and 33 percent thought it was a minor problem.
• When asked to describe U.S. dependence on foreign oil as a crisis, a major problem, a minor problem or not an issue, the majority (61 percent) described it as a major problem.
  • 20 percent described it as a crisis.
• Seven out of 10 voters (69 percent) in North Carolina believed that efforts to maker greater use of energy-saving technologies would create more American jobs.
  • Only 11 percent said it would reduce jobs; 20 percent were unsure.
• 92 percent thought it was either very important or somewhat important for America to be a leader in developing and manufacturing advanced energy products in the future.
• One in four North Carolina voters (26 percent) believe gasoline will cost more than $6 per gallon within five years.  The majority –  57 percent – believe it will cost over $5 per gallon.

The online survey was conducted by John Zogby and JZ Analytics for Advanced Energy Economy Institute from August 15-17, 2012.  The survey included 600 likely North Carolina voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points. Full survey results are available at www.AEE.net.

During the Republican and Democratic Conventions, the Advanced Energy Economy Institute is teaming with the Atlantic and National Journal to convene forums on "Powering the City," which include key voices from the nation's cities and leading industries to discuss strategies for reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency and powering the cities of the future.  Both events feature remarks by AEE CEO Graham Richard and a moderated panel.  The panel in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the Democratic convention includes: Jason Hartke, Vice President of National Policy, U.S. Green Building Council; Alex Laskey, President & Founder, Opower; and Lee McIntire, CEO, CH2M HILL.

The Democratic Convention event will take place on Wednesday, September 5, at 4:00-5:15 pm at National Journal's Convention headquarters, the McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC. Media must RSVP with Kelley Vendeland at [email protected] or 619-300-6642. To view a live webcast, you can go to www.nationaljournal.com or www.aee.net.

About Advanced Energy Economy and the AEE Institute
Advanced Energy Economy is a national organization representing the advanced energy industry. AEE's mission is to influence public policy, foster advanced energy innovation and business growth, and provide a unified voice for a strong U.S. advanced energy industry that will drive the global transition to a smarter energy future. The AEE Institute's mission is to raise awareness of the public benefits of advanced energy, drive the policy debate on key topics, and provide a forum where leaders can address energy challenges and opportunities facing the U.S.

SOURCE Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEEI)