Microsoft word - exelon briefing memo 12_12_12.docx
Subj: Widespread Disapproval of Exelon Using Ratepayer Dollars to Lobby for More Expensive Energy -- Poll From: Gabe Elsner, Co-Director, Checks & Balances Project
A new poll of Chicagoland utility customers shows high levels of support for wind energy while displaying ratepayer antipathy toward actions carried out by Commonwealth Edison’s parent company, Exelon, to end wind power investments. The poll found that 70% of Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) ratepayers did not support Exelon’s use of ratepayer money for lobbying efforts to end tax credits for wind power. Additionally, the poll found that 63% of respondents did not support Exelon’s lobbying efforts to end policy investments for wind power, and not nuclear power, which is the energy source for the majority of Exelon’s holdings in the power generation sector. The respondents’ disapproval of Exelon’s actions may be driven by the high level of support given to wind energy. 81% of respondents supported wind energy as a way to provide electricity for their area while 57% of respondents preferred that the government increase financial incentives it gives for producing energy from renewable sources such as wind energy. The findings are based on a survey conducted on November 28 and 29, 2012 among a representative sample of 401 ComEd ratepayers by the independent polling firm Gotham Research Group. The margin of error is +/- 4.9%. Respondents support wind energy
The poll found significant support for wind energy across all sub-groups. A majority of self- identified Democrats, Independents and Republicans all said they were ‘strongly supportive’ of wind energy (70.7%, 55.0% and 55.2% respectively). Respondents under the age of 35 were most likely to strongly support wind (86.0%). In contrast, nuclear energy received notably less (50%) support. Opposition to nuclear energy also rated much higher than opposition to wind energy (36% to 11%). Respondents’ support / opposition for various sources of energy to provide electricity for their area: Energy Source Natural Gas Respondents support financial incentives for wind
When it comes to federal support for renewable energy, a majority of respondents would favor increasing (57%) or not changing (21%) financial incentives offered to renewable energy. Increasing federal support for renewable energy received plurality support across party affiliations. Respondents’ support for increasing/decreasing financial incentives for wind by party ID: Increase Decrease Not Change Don't know/Refused (DNR)
Respondents oppose Exelon’s efforts to end the tax credit across all demographics Exelon’s efforts to end the tax credit that encourages the production of wind power was opposed by the majority of respondents (54%). A majority of Democrats (59.6%) and Republicans (51.5%), as well as a plurality of Independents (43.1%), were also unsupportive of Exelon’s efforts to end the tax credit. Respondents’ view of Exelon’s actions to end the tax credit by Party ID: Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Neither favor nor oppose (DNR) Don't know/Refused (DNR) Respondents’ view of Exelon’s actions to end the tax credit by Age: Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Neither favor nor oppose (DNR) Don't know/Refused (DNR) Respondents’ view of Exelon’s actions to end the tax credit by Income: $40k or under $40k-$80k Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Neither favor nor oppose (DNR) Don't know/Refused (DNR) Opposition to ending the tax credit increases if ratepayer money is used
While the majority of respondents already opposed ending the tax credit that encourages the production of wind power (54%), opposition to ending the tax credit increased (70%) if ratepayer money was used to help fund the lobbying efforts to end tax credits for wind power.
Respondent’s view of Exelon’s actions to end the tax credit using ratepayer money by Party ID: Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Neither favor nor oppose (DNR) Don't know/Refused (DNR) Ratepayers oppose Exelon’s argument for ending policy investments for wind power and also oppose Exelon’s narrow actions to end some policy investments and not others.
The majority of ratepayers (61%) oppose Exelon’s main argument that claims that Exelon is fighting to end policy investments for wind power because the wind power industry is now a mature industry. Additionally, when asked if they supported or opposed the following statement, “Exelon is fighting to end policy investments for wind power, but not nuclear power, which is where 90% of Exelon’s energy comes from,” the majority of ratepayers (63%) did not support Exelon’s narrow efforts to only end policy investments for wind power. For more information: Gabe Elsner Checks & Balances Project [email protected]Poll Questions The findings described are based on a survey conducted by Gotham Research Group, from November 28 through 29, 2012 among a representative sample of 401 ComEd rate-payers. The margin of error on the total sample of 401 is +/- 4.9%. The study was conducted by telephone using live professional interviewers. Respondents were reached through RDD (random digit dialing). All respondents were screened to ensure that they are currently 18 years or older, reside in the ComEd service territory, and pay electricity bills. All the numbers are presented as percentages and, due to rounding, may not add up to 100%. Now I’m going to read you a list of energy sources. Please tell me whether you support or oppose the use of each one as a way to provide electricity for your area. [IF SUPPORT OR OPPOSE, ASK:] Would you say you strongly support/oppose or somewhat support/oppose it? 1. Wind
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose 3% Strongly oppose Neither support nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
2. Nuclear
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose 12% Strongly oppose Neither support nor oppose Don’t know/Refused Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose 4% Strongly oppose Neither support nor oppose Don’t know/Refused Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose 17% Strongly oppose Neither support nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
5. Natural Gas
Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose 7% Strongly oppose Neither support know/Refused 6. Would you prefer the government to increase, decrease, or not change the financial incentives it gives for producing energy from renewable sources such as wind energy? Increase Decrease Not change Don’t know/Refused 7. As you may know, ComEd’s parent company – Exelon – wants to end the tax credit now in place that encourages the production of wind power. Do you support or oppose Exelon’s efforts
to end the tax credit that encourages more wind power?
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
Now I’m going to read you some more statements about ComEd’s parent company – Exelon. After you hear each one, please tell me whether you support or oppose Exelon’s efforts to end tax credits that encourage more wind power. 8. Exelon is using the money it gets from rate-payers like you to help fund their lobbying efforts to end tax credits for wind power.
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
9. Independent studies have shown that ending investments in wind power may increase electricity rates for consumers like you.
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
10. Exelon says it is fighting to end policy investments for wind power because the wind power industry is now a mature industry and doesn’t need subsidies anymore.
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
11. Exelon is fighting to end policy investments for wind power, but not nuclear power, which is where 90% of Exelon’s energy comes from.
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
12. If Exelon succeeds in ending policies that encourage wind power, studies have shown that Exelon’s profit margins will increase, while rate-payers like you will likely pay more in electricity rates.
Strongly Support Strongly Oppose Neither favor nor oppose Don’t know/Refused
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