national energy data collection: do’s and don’ts

National Energy Data Collection: Do’s and Don’ts

UN City Group

Oslo, Norway

February 7, 2006

Goals for today’s presentation

Who is EIA?– What kinds of data do we collect?– Who uses our data?– What are our key products?

Share experience from EIA’s 29 years of energy data collection on the United States

– What works well?– What does not work well?– What challenges do we face?

Who we are

EIA was established by the Department of Energy Organization Act, 1977– Independent since its foundation

369 federal employees and about 250 contractors

$85 million budget (2006)

What data we collect

EIA has about 80 surveys– Petroleum (about 30)– Natural gas (about 15)– Electric power (about 15)– Uranium (8)– Coal (7)– Renewables (3)– Consumption (3)– Green house gases (2)– Finance, alternative fuels (1 each)

Who uses our work?

Government policy makers– Executive branch– Legislative branch

International community Energy industry participants Public

What we produce

Four main kinds of energy products:– Data– Analyses– Forecasts– Descriptive information about products

Good Practices for Statistical Agencies

Do continually review data and analysis programs to assess coverage and relevancy

Do conduct outreach with customers to obtain feedback on quality and timeliness of products

Do keep current with the technology to both collect and disseminate data

Do commit to transparency in terms of methods, documentation, and accuracy

Do employ high quality statisticians, economists, survey experts

Good Practices for Survey Design

Detailed understanding of what questions data need to address Minimizing respondent burden Using focus groups to decide what data to collect Conducting site visits; establish points of contact and develop

rapport with responders Use professional statisticians and survey methodologists Pre-test questionnaires Automate where possible Commit to iterative process that allows for constant

improvement

A survey success story

In 1990-1991, the U.S. Government wanted a snapshot of nationwide gasoline and diesel prices, as close to real-time as possible

With clear goal, EIA pondered how to get at this information

Result: same day information, within 1% accuracy, at one of the lowest costs of any survey conducted by EIA, now 15+ years running

Responses

Good response rates require lots of follow up– Follow up takes 2-3 times as much time and effort

as the original survey– This is why you made those personal contacts

Decide what level of accuracy you require– Ask whether the non-responders would change

the results of your survey If response is not mandatory, is there

something you can give back to participants?

Current challenges

Maintaining industry coverage Keeping pace with rapid industry change Addressing recruitment as current work force

retires Increasing concerns about confidentiality and

response burden

Contact information

Tara Billingsley

202-586-0172

tara.billingsley@eia.doe.gov National Energy Information Center

202-586-8800

infoctr@eia.doe.gov