FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 1, 2001
For Further Information,
Please Contact Amanda Noonan (603) 271-1164
New Hampshire Residents Support Continuing Move
Towards Electric Competition
Research also reveals consumer support for conservation efforts
Concord, NH - Less than one month after the opening of Public Service
Company of New Hampshire's territory to allow for competition occurred,
both residential and business consumers said the state should continue
to move forward with its electric competition plans.
In a survey conducted during the month of May for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, 80% of respondents said they agreed with the idea of continuing to introduce electric competition to the state. Only 3% strongly disagreed with the move towards competition. RKM Research and Communications of Portsmouth conducted the research as part of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's consumer education efforts; 800 residential and business customers were polled.
The research findings also revealed that New Hampshire consumers are interested in taking steps to reduce the amount of electricity they use. 92% of residential consumers and 89% of business owners said they were interested in conserving energy.
"The results of this research provide us with valuable information we can use as we continue to educate consumers on electric competition," says Douglas L. Patch, NH Public Utilities Commission Chairman. "These findings will help us develop more effective educational materials for consumers regarding the transition to competition and options for conservation."
The survey revealed that while 54% percent of residents and 56% of business owners said they are moderately or very concerned that electric competition hasn't moved more quickly in New Hampshire, 69% of residents and 70% of businesses said they expect it will take up to three years for a competitive market to develop for electric service.
In the area of energy conservation, an overwhelming 81% of residents and 80% of businesses agreed that an energy conservation program should be part of the state's consumer education program on electric competition. An additional 77% of residents and 62% of businesses said they are currently trying to reduce their energy consumption now, including the use of more energy efficient lighting products.
When asked why they would be interested in reducing their demand for energy, New Hampshire residents and businesses said it would lower the amount they pay, be good for the environment and is a natural responsibility of the customer. As a way to solve the nation's energy needs, 47% of residents and 37% of businesses say conservation is the best alternative. 13% of residents and 10% of businesses advocate for more production while 32% of residents and 47% of businesses say both options are necessary.
Additionally, when asked about the California energy crisis, most residents and businesses laid the blame on that state's lack of generation capacity and poor planning for the new markets. Only 7% of both residents and businesses thought that what happened in California would definitely happen in New Hampshire.
Copies of the research report are available on the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission web site, www.puc.state.nh.us. Anyone with questions about the state's efforts to move to electric competition can call the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Consumer Answer Center at 1-800-528-2070.
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