New England Energy Alliance Prepared by Opinion Dynamics Corporation November 2005

Which of the following issues facing New England is most important to you? Q1 Health care 24% Jobs and the economy19 Energy supply and prices18 Public schools and education11 Protecting the environment10 Terrorism 7 Crime and drugs 5 Traffic and congestion 2 Other 2 Not sure/Refused 1

Which the following issues facing New England is second most important to you? Q2 Public schools and education 17% Health care16 Energy supply and prices16 Jobs and the economy15 Protecting the environment10 Crime and drugs10 Terrorism 9 Traffic and congestion 4 Other 1 Not sure 2

What is the most important energy-related issue facing New England today? Q3 Gas prices 41% High cost—general27 Unreliable supply10 Environmental concerns 5 Power shortages 3 Alternate fuels/sources 3 Oil dependency 1 Other 5 Not sure/Refused 4

How concerned are you about the cost of electricity increasing? Q4

How concerned are you about the cost of natural gas increasing? Q5

Thinking ahead to the next five years, do you think there will be enough electricity to meet New England’s needs? Q6

How well informed do you feel regarding the electricity supply situation in New England? Q7

Do you favor or oppose moving forward on new energy and infrastructure projects? Q8

Why do you feel that way? Q9 FavorOppose Energy Conservation/Supply shortage 16% 4% Want alternative, renewable energy sources14 2 Economic Concerns/Jobs/Money1310 Need change/To address global energy issues 9 - Want to be prepared for the future 8 - Environmental Concerns 415 Need change/Address local energy issues 4 - Reduce dependence on oil 3 - Population increase 2 - Don't like planned projects/Projects can't fix problems 113 Too much Government control/Need more public input 14 No problem to address 14 Safety concerns -6 Other 5 - Not sure/Refused2543

What would be your biggest concern if you heard an energy project had been proposed for your community? Q10 Environment/Impact on community 20% Cost12 Safety/Health 9 Location 8 Source of energy 7 Depends/Need more information 4 Community education/involvement 3 Reason for project/Who funds it 2 Other 3 None 1 Not sure/Refused38

Has the electric utility industry in your state been deregulated, or not? Q11

What does it mean when the electric utility industry in a state is deregulated? Q12 Competition 23% Different companies can produce and deliver electricity 19 Consumers have a choice14 Prices will be affected 6 Prices will be raised 3 Privatization of industry 2 Other 1 Not sure/Refused31

(MA, ME, CT, NH, RI only) Has deregulation led to lower or higher electricity prices for residential consumers? Q13

Do you think deregulation has led to better or worse service for residential consumers of electricity? Q14

Which statement is closer to your opinion? Q15 Even in a deregulated market, insuring an adequate energy supply is too important to be left to market forces alone; it should be the responsibility of government agencies as well 45% Under deregulation, the competitive marketplace will provide adequate financial incentives to spur investment in new plants and infrastructure projects 29% Not sure 26%

Please rate the following ideas for insuring adequate future energy supply: Q16-22 Incentives investing in energy conservation and efficiency A coordinated regional energy supply plan with companies & policy makers Streamlining approval for major new energy projects Extending the operating life of existing nuclear power plants Streamlining approval for new natural gas infrastructure Ensuring local objections do not derail needed energy projects Continue switching New England from regulated to deregulated utilities

Do you favor or oppose these proposals to increase New England’s energy? Q31, 23, 28, 27, 24 Encouraging conservation and energy efficiency by providing incentives to consumers An off-shore wind farm between Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard More electric transmission lines to move electricity more efficiently throughout the region Additional natural-gas electricity plants An additional natural gas pipeline from Canada

Q26, 30, 25, 29 Several additional “cleaner coal” electricity plants Do you favor or oppose these proposals to increase New England’s energy? (cont.) Continuing the operation of existing nuclear plants At least one new nuclear power plant At least one off-shore Liquid Natural Gas, or, LNG tanker terminal

Do you agree with the following statements about the need for energy? Conservation and efficiency should be components of future supply plans Q45, 44, 39, 35, 33, 37, 32 Governor & state legislature should focus on energy as a high priority Country is too dependent on foreign oil; we need homegrown sources Need energy facilities in New England to grow & create jobs We can build additional facilities if we balance needs & environmental concerns For New England to compete, we need new energy facilities Predictions of future shortages mean we need to bring more natural gas to the area

Do you agree with the following statements about the need for energy? (cont.) Q41, 42, 43, 38, 40, 34, 36 New England can lead the nation in the development of new energy technologies We don’t need another divisive controversy over a new nuclear power plant An attack on an LNG tanker facility is a terrorist nightmare waiting to happen A deregulated, competitive market is the best way to ensure adequate energy It’s too risky to environment to start building new facilities that will pollute even more Unproven energy technologies only contribute a small portion of electricity A new natural gas pipeline will put communities at environmental risk

Experts are concerned our region will soon face an energy supply problem and we need a range of additional supply options. Do you agree with this view? Q46

Which concerns you more about the electricity supply in New England? Q47 There will not be enough electricity to meet New England’s needs in the future 38% The environment will be damaged because we are too concerned with keeping up with the increasing demand for electricity 33% Both equal 17% Neither 5% Not sure 7%

Which of the following concerns you more? Q48 The cost of electricity will continue to increase, creating a burden on consumers and hurting New England’s economy 45% The environment will be damaged because we are too concerned with holding down the cost of electricity 29% Both equal 17% Neither 5% Not sure 4%

Which of the two statements is closer to your opinion? Q49 The region should be just as concerned about ensuring reliable energy supplies at reasonable prices as it has been about being a leader in setting strict environmental standards 61% The region should continue to set a national example on environmental regulations, even if it means higher energy prices and contributes to energy shortages 20% Both equal 9% Neither 2% Not sure 8%

Would you pay an extra surcharge if the money was being spent to reinforce the region’s energy infrastructure? Q50

Thinking for a moment about how your local media outlets cover energy issues, would you say they offer a fair and balanced view, or not? Q51

How believable are the following when it comes to new energy facilities? Professor of environmental sciences from MIT Q52, 64, 65, 54, 59, 61, 60 A leading, respected energy issues expert The Conservation Law Foundation Your local congressman The MA Renewable Energy Trust The U.S. Department of Energy Your local state legislator

How believable are the following when it comes to new energy facilities? (cont.) Q58, 62, 63, 56, 53, 55, 57 The New England Energy Alliance Your local Chamber of Commerce A coalition of local employers Rep of New England’s electric utility companies Editorial in the Globe/your local paper A Labor Leader [MA/VT/RI/CT/ME] PIRG

Respondent Profile AgeIncome %$0-19,999 6% $20-49, $50-99,99929 Are you an environmentalist?$100, Yes 62%Refused31 No/Not sure37Education Political partyHigh school or less 28% Democrat 32%Vocational or some college21 Republican21College degree33 Independent39Graduate/Prof. school17 Do you use Natural gas?Gender Yes 33%Female 53% No/Not sure66Male47