urvey in-brief eight in ten connecticut residents age 50 ... · q5. the electricity rates paid by...

2011 Survey of 50+ Connecticut Residents On Electric Utilities

AARP’s Connecticut State Office, in response to its commitment to ensure affordable electric rates and consumer protections for all residents, commissioned this survey to explore the views of 50+ residents regarding new ways to purchase electricity and the establishment of consumer protections. Those ages 50+ represent 39 percent of all adults in Connecticut. These results are based on a telephone survey of Connecticut residents age 50+ fielded March 21 - April 1, 2011. A total of 802 interviews were completed yielding a sampling error of ±3.5 percent. A weighted, annotated survey of responses begins on page 5, and detailed methodology is on page 14.

SURVEY-IN-BRIEF Eight in ten Connecticut residents age 50+ are concerned about the rising costs of electricity in

their homes, and many think they are currently paying too much for electricity.

61 percent say they are extremely or very concerned about the costs of their electricity going up; and another 20 percent say they are somewhat concerned.

60 percent say the amount they are paying for electricity is too much, and 40 percent say their electric bill has gone up in the past 12 months.

Most Connecticut residents age 50+ believe the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC)

should find ways to reduce electric rates, and many think elected officials are not doing enough to help electric utility customers.

68 percent say they do not believe their elected state officials are doing enough to lower the cost of their electric bills.

89 percent say they support legislation that requires the DPUC to take steps to reduce electricity rates by 15 percent over the next 5 years. 58 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports this legislation.

77 percent say they would support legislation that would create a Procurement Manager to ensure that electricity is purchased for customers of Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating at the lowest reasonable cost. 53 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports this legislation.

The vast majority of Connecticut residents age 50+ supports legislation to establish consumer protections for electric utility customers of new electric suppliers.

91 percent say they would support legislation that requires new electric suppliers to identify themselves when they are selling their services to potential customers.

88 percent say they would support legislation that requires new electric suppliers to provide potential customers with the terms, fees and other charges clearly stated and in writing.

86 percent say they would support legislation that requires new electric suppliers to give new customers up to three days to cancel their contract from the time it is signed.

77 percent say they would support legislation that restricts when and how new electric suppliers can contact customers when they are selling their services.

57 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports legislation that would strengthen consumer protections for electric utility customers.

2011 SURVEY OF 50+ CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS ON ELECTRIC UTILITIES

2011 Survey of 50+ Connecticut Residents On Electric Utilities 5

2011 Connecticut Electric Utilities Survey (Survey Sample: 50+ General Population in Connecticut)

(N=802, sampling error = ±3.5%)

INTRODUCTION/SCREENER Hello, this is ______ calling from Woelfel Research, Inc., a national opinion research firm. We are not telemarketers and are not trying to sell you anything. We would like to find out your opinions on your electricity service. Your views are important and we would greatly appreciate your participation. All your responses will be kept entirely confidential. S1. Our study is interested in the opinions of certain age groups. Could you please tell me your age as of your last birthday? [IN YEARS] ___________ [RECORD ACTUAL AGE AND USE THE AGE GROUPS BELOW TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY RESPONDENTS WE ARE GETTING IN EACH GROUP]

40% 50-50 34% 60-74 20% 75+ 0% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 5% Refused [DO NOT READ]

S2. And just to confirm, are you a resident of Connecticut?

100% Yes 0% No [TERMINATE]

S3. Do you buy your electricity from Connecticut Light and Power, United Illuminating or some other electric supplier? [INTERVIEWERS RECORD ANSWER]

65% Connecticut Light and Power 11% United Illuminating 21% Other company [ASK S4] 3% Not sure [DO NOT READ]

<.5% Refused [DO NOT READ]

S4. [IF RESPONDENT BUYS THEIR ELECTRICITY FROM SOME OTHER ELECTRIC SUPPLIER OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT POWER AND LIGHT OR UNITED ILLUMINATING ASK] What is the name of the electric supplier you buy your electricity from? (n=168 respondents who get their power from some “other” company)

66% Other company:_____________________________________________ 34% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1% Refused [DO NOT READ]


Main Questionnaire

Q1. How concerned are you about the costs of your electricity going up? Are you extremely concerned, very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned or not at all concerned?

30% Extremely concerned 32% Very concerned 20% Somewhat concerned 10% Not very concerned 7% Not at all concerned 1% Not sure [DO NOT READ]


Q2. Thinking about the amount you currently pay for electricity, is this amount….[INTERVIEWER READ AND RANDOMIZE EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

1% Too little 33% About right 60% Too much 6% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 0% Refused [DO NOT READ]

Q3. In the past 12 months, has your electricity bill….[INTERVIEWER READ AND RANDOMIZE EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

16% Gone down 40% Gone up 32% Stayed the same 11% Not sure [DO NOT READ]

<.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] Q4. Do you believe your state elected officials are doing enough to lower the cost of your electricity bill?

13% Yes 68% No 19% Not sure [DO NOT READ]



Q5. The electricity rates paid by consumers in Connecticut are 15 percent higher than those in neighboring states. Legislation has been proposed that would require the Department of Public Utility Control to explore ways to reduce electricity rates by 15 percent over the next 5 years so that Connecticut residents could pay similar rates to neighboring states. How strongly would you support or oppose legislation that requires the Department of Public Utility Control to take steps to reduce electricity rates by 15 percent over the next 5 years?

72% Strongly support 16% Somewhat support 4% Neither support nor oppose 1% Somewhat oppose 3% Strongly oppose 3% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1% Refused [DO NOT READ]

Q6. If a candidate for state office supports legislation that would require the Department of Public Utility Control to explore ways to reduce electricity rates by 15 percent over the next 5 years would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely or would it make no difference?

58% More likely 30% Make no difference 2% Less likely 9% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 1% Refused [DO NOT READ]

Q7. Currently under Connecticut Law electricity for customers of Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating is purchased in a way that often locks customers into paying high rates for their electricity. Legislation has been proposed to create a procurement manager who would change the way electricity is purchased for customers of Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating in order to ensure that electric power is purchased at the lowest reasonable cost. How strongly do you support or oppose legislation that would create a procurement manager to ensure that electricity is purchased for customers of Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating at the lowest reasonable cost?



Q8. If a candidate for state office supports legislation that would create a procurement manager to ensure that electricity is purchased for customers of Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating at the lowest reasonable cost would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely or would it make no difference?


Currently in Connecticut, consumers may choose the company that supplies their electricity. Consumers who purchase their electricity from Connecticut Power and Light and United Illuminating are guaranteed certain consumer protections from fraudulent marketing practices. New electric suppliers in Connecticut are not required to have these types of consumer protections. Now I would like to ask you more specifically about fraudulent marketing practices among new electric suppliers. Q9. Current laws do not require that new electric suppliers provide potential customers with all of the terms and other fees or variable charges clearly stated and in writing. How strongly do you support or oppose legislation that requires new electric suppliers to provide potential customers with the terms, fees and other charges clearly stated and in writing?

75% Strongly support 13% Somewhat support 4% Neither support nor oppose 2% Somewhat oppose 3% Strongly oppose 3% Not sure [DO NOT READ]


Q10. Current laws do not require that new electric suppliers identify themselves when they are selling their services to potential customers. How strongly do you support or oppose legislation that requires new electric suppliers to identify themselves when they are selling their services to potential customers?



Q11. Current laws do not place restrictions on when and how new electric suppliers can contact potential customers when they are selling their services. For example, new electric suppliers can sell their services by going to potential customers’ homes or calling them at any time of the day or night. How strongly do you support or oppose legislation that restricts when and how new electric suppliers can contact potential customers when they are selling their services?


Q12. Current laws do not require that new electric suppliers give new customers up to three days to cancel their contract from the time a new contract is signed. How strongly do you support or oppose legislation that requires new electric suppliers to give new customers up to three days to cancel their contract from the time it is signed?


Q13. If a candidate for state office supports legislation that would strengthen consumer protections for electric utility customers would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely or would it make no difference?



Demographics The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. D1. RECORD RESPONDENT’S GENDER. ASK ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY: “To ensure it is recorded accurately, could you please state your gender?

45% Male 55% Female

D2. What is your current marital status? Are you….….…[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

58% Married 2% Not married, living with your partner or significant other 1% Separated

12% Divorced 16% Widowed 8% Or are you currently single and never married

<.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 4% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D3. [IF D2 = 1 ASK: “Are you or your spouse currently a member of A-A-R-P?” IF D2 = 2 ASK: “Are you or your partner currently a member of AARP?” OTHERWISE ASK “Are you currently a member of AARP?”]

55% Yes 42% No 1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 3% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D4. What is the highest level of education that you completed? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]

4% 0 to 12th grade, but with no diploma 25% High school graduate or equivalent 13% Post high school education, but with no degree 13% 2 year degree 19% 4 year degree 6% Post graduate study, but with no degree

17% Graduate or professional degree <.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ]

3% Refused [DO NOT READ]


D5. Which of the following best describes your current employment status? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]

4% Self-employed full-time 2% Self-employed part-time

27% Employed full-time 8% Employed part-time

46% Retired and not working at all 5% Unemployed and looking for work 6% Or are you not in the labor force for other reasons 1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 3% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D6. Do you own or rent your primary residence?

85% Own 12% Rent

<.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 3% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D7. Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent?

2% Yes

94% No <.5% Not sure [DO NOT READ]


D8. What is your race? Are you….[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

86% White or Caucasian 3% Black or African American 1% Native American or Alaskan Native 1% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 2% Or are you some other race? [Please specify:________] 1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 6% Refused [DO NOT READ]


D9. Thinking about your state elections for Connecticut Governor and Legislators in the last 10 years,

which of the following best describes your voting behavior? Would you say you vote always, most of the time, about half of the time, seldom, or would you say you never vote?

62% Always 20% Most of the time 5% About half of the time 5% Seldom 4% Never 1% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 4% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D10. Do you consider yourself to be a …. [INTERVIEWER READ AND RANDOMIZE EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]

27% Democrat 18% Republican 43% Independent 2% Other 2% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 8% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D11. How would you characterize your political views? Would you say you are….[READ AND RANDOMIZE EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

31% Conservative 33% Moderate 14% Liberal 15% None of the above 2% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 5% Refused [DO NOT READ]

D12. What is your 5-digit zip code? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


D13. We realize income is a private matter and so rather than ask you anything specific about your income, I’d like to ask you to please stop me when I get to the category that includes your household’s income before taxes in 2010. Was it….[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]?

4% Less than $10,000 6% $10,000 to less than $20,000

11% $20,000 to less than $35,000 10% $35,000 to less than $50,000 9% $50,000 to less than $60,000 9% $60,000 to less than $75,000 8% $75,000 to less than $100,000 7% $100,000 to less than $125,000 4% $125,000 to less than $150,000 5% $150,000 to less than $200,000 4% $200,000 or more 3% Not sure [DO NOT READ]


That was our last question for tonight/today. Thanks you very much for taking the time to help us out. Have a great day/night!


Methodology

AARP commissioned Woelfel Research Inc. to conduct the 2011 AARP Connecticut Utility Survey, a telephone survey with Connecticut residents age 50+. The survey was conducted between March 21, 2011 and April 1, 2011 and a total of 802 interviews were completed. A sample of this size has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Survey responses were weighted to reflect the actual distribution of age and gender of 50+ residents living in Connecticut. Interviewing was completed with a final response rate of 36 percent, cooperation rate of 89 percent and refusal rate of 9 percent. The response, cooperation and refusal rates were calculated according to AAPOR standards RR3, COOP3, REF3. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice, and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. State Research brings the right knowledge at the right time to our state and national partners in support of their efforts to improve the lives of people age 50+. State Research consultants provide strategic insights and actionable research to attain measurable state and national outcomes. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP.

AARP Research and Strategic Analysis

For more information, please contact Joanne Binette at: 202.434.6303 or e-mail [email protected]

urvey in-brief eight in ten connecticut residents age 50 ... · q5. the electricity rates paid by...

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