November 21, 2008—While more consumers are becoming knowledgeable about renewable energy, one-third erroneously think cars and trucks are the No. 1 cause of global warming, while only 4% cite the actual primary culprit of greenhouse emissions: coal-fired electric plants.
So reports Shelton Group’s fourth annual Energy Pulse study, which has tracked consumer energy use and conservation attitudes and behaviors since 2005.
Because electricity generation differs by region, Energy Pulse asked two questions to determine how consumers think their electricity is generated. While answers generally reflected regional reality (nuclear is more dominant in the Northeast, for example, while hydroelectric is more prevalent in the West), the No. 1 answer was “don’t know” (34%), with people in the South responding with a higher degree of inaccuracy (23% citing “hydro” and only 19% citing “coal-fired plants”). While only 3% of electricity in the South comes from hydro a greater percentage 53% to 63% comes from burning coal, according to EIA 2007 Electrify Generation by Source by Region.
Knowledge continues to rise about renewable energy. In 2005, only 20% of consumers could name one source of renewable energy unaided. In 2007, 48% could, and in 2008, accurate responses rose to 59%.
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