Nebraska-based utility Lincoln Electric System (LES) recently worked with Infogroup to conduct a survey of LES' residential customers in order to gauge interest in renewable energy.
The survey of over 400 adults concluded that customers want renewable power and are split in their interest in paying more for it. Seventy-six percent viewed renewable energy in a positive light, with 44% indicating that they were not willing to pay any increases associated with renewable energy. Of the 56% that were willing to pay more for renewable energy, 26% of them said they would pay $1 to $5 more per month.
‘We hired Infogroup to do an independent analysis in order to make the survey as neutral as possible on any of the issues that were asked,’ says Marc Shkolnick, LES' manager of energy services. ‘The results give a strong indication of our customers' opinions on renewable energy and will help us keep these insights at the forefront as we shape future energy programs to engage the community.’
LES, itself, has already indicated strong interest in renewable energy. In July, the utility signed a power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables for the 100 MW Arbuckle Mountain Wind Farm, located in Oklahoma. At the time, LES Administrator and CEO Kevin Wailes said he expects renewable resources to account for over 23% of the utility's annual retail sales by 2016.
