what’s happening out there?: power and utilities · about dhm independent non-partisan four...

What’s Happening Out There?:Power and Utilities

John Horvick, Vice President & Political DirectorPrepared for NWPPA Conference

May 17, 2016

About DHMIndependent

Non-Partisan

Four decades of public opinion research in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

About DHMRecent Energy & Utility Clients

Association of Clean Water AgenciesAssociation of Washington BusinessesAvistaCentral Electric CooperativeClark Public UtilitiesClean Water ServicesDrive OregonEWEB

Energy Trust of OregonHillsboro WaterNorthwest RiverPartnersOak Lodge Water/Sanitary DistrictsPacificPowerPortland General ElectricOak Lodge Water/Sanitary DistrictsSalem Water & Sewer

Mood

All things considered, is [state]headed in the right direction,

or are things off on the wrong track?

Right Direction: Western States

28%

41%

47%

47%

50%

51%

53%

63%

United States (May)

Arizona (April)

Idaho (November)

Oregon (April)

California (January)

Washington (May)

Nevada (May)

Utah (April)

Go Go 90s

62%

Post 9/11

34%

Housing Boom

48%

Financial Crisis

34%

Today

47%

Economy

MedianHousehold Income

$52,000 (2014)

MedianHousehold Wealth

All: $81,000 White: $142,000Hispanic: $14,000AA: $11,000

Unemployment 5.0%

College Attainment 33% <High school 11%Grad Degree: 12%

United States Economic Numbers

How worried are you about your personal financial situation?

February 2016

51%

March 2011

71%

How difficult would it be to pay an unexpected bill of $1000?

Difficultly paying an unexpected bill of $1000

41%

32%

26%

Not at all difficult Somewhat difficult Very difficult

Marketplace Anxiety Index

Power & Utilities

Electric Utility Provider

44% 41% 9% 5%

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don't know

Satisfaction with electric utility provider

22% 57% 12% 5% 5%

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don't know

Value of electricity service

Most Practical Source of Energy

9%

1%

1%

4%

5%

9%

9%

17%

45%

Don’t know

None of the above

Coal plants

Natural gas fired plants

Nuclear power plants

Solar power

Energy efficiency

Wind power

Hydropower from dams

Most Practical Source of Electrical Energy for the Pacific Northwest

Hydropower 36%

Natural gas 16%

Energy efficiency 10%

Wind 9%Coal 8%Solar 7%

Nuclear / Geothermal 4%Biomass 3%

Tidal 1%

Hydropower 26%

Solar / Wind 17%

Energy efficiency 13%

Natural gas 8%

Nuclear / Geothermal 4%Tidal / Biomass 3%Coal 2%

Current Energy Estimate Desired 10-Year Target

Customer Research

• Benchmark customer satisfaction

• Identify changing attitudes and expectations

• Stay ahead and shape emerging policy issues

• Adjust messaging and message delivery

• Understand how customers balance cost, reliability, and the environment

Major Topics of Customer Research

• Declining response rates: 1:100 vs 1:30

• Online surveys are getting better and better – especially for large populations

• Don’t forget about qualitative research!!!

Major Topics of Customer Research

Don’t forget about qualitative research!

Thank YouJohn Horvick

jhorvick@dhmresearch@DHMResearch