Poll finds University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ the most trusted source for energy information

A view of Cook Inlet
Photo by Amanda Byrd/ACEP
Sunlight reflects off Cook Inlet, as viewed from Flattop Mountain near Anchorage.

February 4, 2025

A recent poll of ³ÉÈËӰƬns found that the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ is the most trusted organization for the public on the topic of energy supply.

The survey of 600 registered ³ÉÈËӰƬ voters was conducted by Strategies 360, with a margin of error of +/- 4%. The survey results can be accessed below:

³ÉÈËӰƬ has significant potential for geologic storage of carbon dioxide. The ³ÉÈËӰƬ Legislature directed state agencies to develop regulations for leasing pore space and managing state lands for carbon storage. The poll was commissioned to test ³ÉÈËӰƬns on their familiarity and position on carbon capture and storage, or CCS.

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

The poll was conducted ahead of public town hall meetings on carbon capture and storage. ACEP  and state agency partners hosted the meetings in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Kenai.

The meetings included presentations from ACEP and collaborators at the University of North Dakota .  Panel discussions included representatives from the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Department of Natural Resources’ , and and the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s . An additional town hall will be held on Monday, March 3 in Utqiagvik.

The poll also included a number of other energy-related questions, probing ³ÉÈËӰƬns’ perspectives on the affordability of energy and their positions on other energy technologies such as coal and nuclear.

When compared with previous polling results, the results indicated that ³ÉÈËӰƬns across the state feel their energy is becoming less affordable. The most acute change has been in Fairbanks, where 63% of respondents felt their energy costs were unaffordable.

This is consistent with a recent , which indicated that average Fairbanks residents expend 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.

The recent polling also indicated ³ÉÈËӰƬns’ awareness of and support for nuclear energy in ³ÉÈËӰƬ has increased significantly since 2023.

ACEP has completed several studies and analyses about the potential in ³ÉÈËӰƬ for small nuclear reactors that offer enhanced safety features compared to legacy nuclear technology. The reports are available as below:

Funding for the work was provided by DOE through the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Energy Authority.

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