ASU Energy Center

Public Attitudes Toward Wind Energy in Western North Carolina A Presentation to the 2002 NC Wind Summit December 9, 2002 Appalachian State University Boone NC Dennis O. Grady

Purpose of Survey Assess the attitudes of citizens in western North Carolina on energy issues Determine attitudes of citizens on developing wind energy in the Appalachian Mountains Identify barriers people perceive in developing wind energy in the NC mountains

Sampling Procedures Population: All residential telephone numbers in 24 western North Carolina Counties with potential class 3-5 wind – approximately 1 million Data Source: InfoUSA Telephone database Sample : Drawn proportionately across all 24 counties – approximately 2,300 residential telephone numbers drawn Respondents: 400 completed telephone surveys, Mid-September-October, % confidence level, +/- 4% margin of error

Profile of Respondents Average Age = 51 Average NC Residency = 30 years 53% Female 85% Registered NC Voters 62% with Less Than College Degree 82% Home Owners 49% with Family Incomes Less Than $40,000 94% Year Round Residents 14% Had Heard of Recent TVA Effort 29% Had Seen a Utility Scale Turbine Operate

Interest in Energy Issues Level of Interest NoneSomeGreat Fossil Fuel Pollution18.5%48.0%33.5% Cost of electricity Reliability of electricity Importation of foreign oil Nuclear Safety/fuel disposal

Attitudes Toward Fuels Should we be getting more, the same, or less of our future electricity from: –Coal –Nuclear –Natural gas –Hydroelectric –Solar –Wind

Comparison of Fuel Sources Percentage wanting more electricity from –Solar85.3% –Wind75.4 –Hydroelectric72.8 –Natural Gas50.5 –Nuclear32.5 –Coal22.4

Desirability of Coal

Desirability of Nuclear Power

Desirability of Hydro

Desirability of Natural Gas

Desirability of Solar

Desirability of Wind

Turbine Placement Issues Ridge tops National forests Near one’s home Clustered With preexisting towers On personal property for personal use

Turbines on Ridge Tops 63.5% Approval

Turbines on National Forests 50.5% Approval

Turbines Near Your Home 66% Approval

Clustered Turbines on Ridges 57.4% Approval

Turbines on Cluttered Ridges 74.5% Approval

Turbines for Personal Use 79% Approval

Awareness and Turbine Placement

Experience and Turbine Placement

Income and Turbine Placement

Ridge Top Placement by Education

Gender and Turbine Placement

Problems With Turbines

Summary Western North Carolinians are supportive of developing a renewable energy industry in the Appalachian Mountains By a margin of 2 to 1, western North Carolinians do not think that ridge top placement of turbines should be prohibited. By a margin of 3 to 1, western North Carolinians believe that placing a turbine with other existing towers should be allowed. Attitudes toward turbine placement is unaffected by income, education, previous experience with utility scale turbines, or knowledge of energy issues. The greatest barrier to developing a wind industry in the mountains is aesthetic – especially how it could affect tourism and property values near the turbines.

Further Information A report on the survey results may be obtained by contacting Dr. Dennis Grady, Department of Political Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, or where the report is posted.