Utility Customers Show Strong Support for Renewables and Natural Gas Fuels

Utility Environmental Champions Named to Honor Earth Day

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The utility industry is experiencing a significant shift in what
consumers want and are willing to pay for from their energy providers.
More than half (57%) prefer renewable energy and natural gas sources,
and customers now show more support for utility investments in expanding
environmentally friendly energy resources than for reliability or
customer service improvements. These findings are from the 2018 Utility
Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Residential, a Cogent
Reports™ study by Market Strategies International.

The study shows that demand for programs to help consumers manage their
energy use and reduce their own environmental footprint has seen a
steady increase over the past four years. Many utilities across the
nation have recognized this trend and are benefiting from the
consumption and carbon footprint management offerings they have
implemented.

In honor of Earth Day (April 22), Market Strategies is awarding the 2018
Environmental Champion designation to 43 utilities. As a group, these 43
utilities have improved their Environmental Dedication performance score
by an average of eight points this year while the score for all other
utilities declined by an average of ten points

“In a celebration of Earth Day, we are pleased to recognize the great
improvements our Environmental Champion utilities have made to improve
their environmental programs,” said Chris Oberle, senior vice president
at Market Strategies International. “It is important to pay attention to
your environmental reputation, as it is now a permanent part of the
utility business model.”

To become an Environmental Champion, a utility needs to show customers
its dedication to supporting the environment by promoting clean energy,
enabling consumption management, facilitating environmental causes,
encouraging environmentally friendly fleets and buildings, and
consistently seeking ways to protect the environment. The utility
industry’s Environmental Dedication score now stands at 672 (on a
1,000-point scale).

Market Strategies would like to congratulate these utilities for being
this year’s Environmental Champions!

* Environmental Champions were selected based on achieving a
top-quartile industry or top-two benchmark segment score, or being
within 20 points of the top benchmark score and above industry average
for Environmental Dedication.

About Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement: Residential study

Market Strategies conducted surveys among 62,565 residential electric,
natural gas and combination utility customers of the 131 largest US
utility companies (based on residential customer counts). The sample
design uses a combination of quotas and weighting based on US census
data to ensure a demographically balanced sample of each evaluated
utility’s customers based on age, gender, income, race and ethnicity.
Utilities within the same region and of the same type (e.g.,
electric-only providers) are given equal weight in order to balance the
influence of each utility’s customers on survey results. Market
Strategies will supply the exact wording of any survey questions upon
request.

About Market Strategies International

Market
Strategies International is a leading provider of research and
consulting services to utility management, trusted by the world’s most
successful organizations to help them thrive. We blend primary research
with data from our syndicated, benchmarking and self-funded studies to
provide clients with exceptional research insight that helps solve their
challenges. Our research specialties include brand, communications, CX,
product development and segmentation. Our syndicated products, known as
Cogent Reports, help clients understand the market environment, explore
industry trends and monitor their brand within the competitive
landscape. Founded in 1989, Market Strategies is one of the largest
market research firms in the world. Read Market Strategies’ blog at FreshMR,
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Contacts

Market Strategies International
Anne Denz, 617.715.7611
[email protected]