The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a nationally representative household survey with more than 1000 adults to measure the general public’s opinions about key energy issues in the United States. Additionally, the survey assessed how the public understands, learns about, and acts upon energy issues. The results provide a clear picture of where the public feels major responsibility lies for the cause of energy problems, and the extent to which government should be involved in solutions. The survey reveals a surprising lack of public understanding of the nation’s most prominent energy savings programs.
The AP-NORC survey was conducted from March 29 through April 25, 2012. AP and NORC staff collaborated on all aspects of the study, with input from NORC’s Security, Energy, and Environment department, AP’s subject matter experts, and the Joyce Foundation staff. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,008 adults age 18 or older, with 752 respondents on landlines and 256 on cellular telephones. The final response rate was 19 percent, with an overall margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.
