Public perceptions of future electric supply, utility financial conditions, and related issues

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6953180

The results are presented of an in-depth study of public perceptions of electric utility financial conditions, future electric power supply and related issues which will affect US government planning and action to ensure future electric power supply at reasonable cost. Group interviews were held across the country, and the findings from these interviews were used to develop a questionaire for surveying a national probability sample. The major findings included that a majority of Americans: consider electricity as a right, not a product; don't worry about future electric supply nor the financial condition of utilities, but believe utilities have locked long-range planning; think that power rates are excessive and that Public Utility Commissions favor the utilities over the customers; support regional planning and generation and government-utility cooperation in research and planning; and are concerned about environmental quality and about nuclear power plant costs and safety. The policy implications of those opinions are discussed. (LCL)

• Research Organization: Planmetrics, Inc., New York (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-78PE70009
• OSTI ID: 6953180
• Report Number(s): DOE/PE/70009-1; ON: DE83003672
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
ATTITUDES
COST
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NORTH AMERICA
PLANNING
POWER
POWER GENERATION
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS
SURVEYS
USA