In the ever-evolving energy landscape, American consumers are growing increasingly uneasy about the current state of our nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Their views are highlighted in a report released in January by WSP.
In fact, 61 percent said they would be willing to pay slightly more for electricity if it meant building a more reliable electric grid, according to WSP Pulse: U.S. Public Perspectives on Our Energy Future.
Transmission is key to unlocking the potential for rapid expansion of renewable energy generation. As it becomes more essential for those spearheading the energy transition to understand public perception, this timely report is shedding light on the critical concerns consumers have surrounding energy infrastructure, such as its effects on customer costs, reliability, environmental implications, technological advancements, and government policies and regulations.
Understanding Energy Infrastructure
The report shows that 81 percent of American consumers are concerned about the affordability of electricity.
“There is no shortage of serious, complex issues vying for share of mind and wallet,” said Mike Case, U.S. Energy national business line executive and senior vice president at WSP. “Across gender, race and ethnicity, household income, urbanicity, region and other factors, we found there is no sub-set of Americans who are unconcerned about these issues, which is a strong signal of support for more rapid grid modernization.”
Initial costs associated with these investments can lead to long-term cost savings. Improved energy infrastructure increases energy efficiency, reduces energy waste and optimizes energy distribution. These factors ultimately result in cost savings for consumers in the long run.
As American consumers become more environmentally conscious, it becomes crucial to address their concerns and work towards sustainable solutions. With 74 percent saying that they understand the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, an even greater percentage is interested in learning more (79 percent) suggesting new opportunities for public engagement and involvement.
With 74 percent of American consumers saying they understand the need to transition to renewable energy sources, it is crucial to work towards more sustainable solutions.
About the WSP Pulse Report
WSP Pulse is based on a survey conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of WSP from Dec. 12-14, 2023, among 2,061 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/-2.7 percentage points using a 95 percent confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, email [email protected].
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