Poll finds University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ the most trusted source for energy information

A view of Cook Inlet
Photo by Amanda Byrd/ACEP
A view of Cook Inlet from Flattop Mountain near Anchorage.

February 4, 2025

Key findings of a recent poll of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns found that the University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ is the most trusted organization for the public on the topic of energy supply.

The survey of 600 registered ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵn voters was conducted by Strategies 360, with a margin of error of +/- 4%. The survey results can be accessed below:

ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ has significant potential for geologic storage of carbon dioxide and recently passed legislation directing state agencies to develop regulations for leasing pore space and managing state lands for carbon storage. The poll was commissioned to test ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns on their familiarity and position on carbon capture and storage, or CCS.

It found that less than 50% of respondents were familiar with CCS, and the opinions of those that had some familiarity were split (19% favorable, 16% unfavorable, 12% neutral).

The poll was conducted ahead of public town hall meetings hosted by ACEP and state agency partners on CCS in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Kenai, which included a combination of presentations from ACEP and collaborators at the University of North Dakota , followed by a panel discussion with state agencies including the ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Department of Natural Resources , and and ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development . An additional town hall will be held on March 3 in Utqiagvik.

The poll also included a number of other energy-related questions, including ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns’ perspectives on the affordability of energy and their positions on other energy technologies such and coal and nuclear.

When these results were compared with previous polling results, they indicated that ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns across the state feel their energy is becoming less affordable, with the most acute change in Fairbanks, where 63% of respondents felt their energy costs were unaffordable.

This is consistent with a recent , which indicated that the average Fairbanks expends 10% of their household income on electricity and heating. Anything over 6% is considered a high energy burden by the U.S. Department of Energy.

In the area of advanced nuclear — an emerging class of small nuclear reactors with enhanced safety features compared to legacy nuclear technology, ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns awareness of and support for nuclear as a potential for ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ has increased significantly since 2023.

ACEP has completed several studies and analyses related to advanced nuclear as a potential option for ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ. They are available as below:

Visit here to learn more about and sign up for the nuclear energy working group.