California Energy Commission Survey of Students at J.F. Kennedy High School, Sacramento, Calif.

California Energy Commission Survey
Introduction

A survey of students was conducted at John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento, California, on April 1, 2002. The survey asked questions to understand student’s general knowledge about energy and students’ use of the Internet and the news media.

California had just gone through a long electricity crisis, and the questions focussed on energy and also probed into their remembrance of the State of California’s multi-million dollar "Flex Your Power" energy conservation advertising campaign.

A total of 120 students completed the survey, most of them seniors and most of the on track to attend college. This survey though not statistically accurate for the entire school, does give an indication as to the general energy knowledge of the seniors at John F. Kennedy.

James Waller, Intern
California Energy Commission
Media & Public Communications Office

Question 1

California has just gone through a year where we’ve had problems with energy. Tell us what energy area you think we were having problems with.

Natural Gas	1
Gasoline	4
All of the Above	39
Electricity	51
Answered more than one	2

Question 2

Have you seen, heard, or read an advertisement asking you to "Flex Your Power?"

Yes, on radio	4
None of the Above	5
Don't remember	8
All of the above	27
Yes, on television	52
Chose more than one answer	7

Question 3

If you saw or heard any advertisement, what did they tell you to do?

Turn off the lights when you leave the room	71
Turn off the furnace or air conditioner when you're not home	7
Didn't hear or see any advertisements	7
Save money	2
Turn off the computer when your not using it	0
Take shorter showers	0
Chose more than one answer	12

Question 4

Do you believe your personal efforts to reduce energy use (like turning off the lights) make a difference?

Yes	48
Maybe	27
Not Really	11
No	6
Don't Know	1

Question 5

Whose job is it to make sure there are adequate supplies of energy for the state?

Don't Know	30
California Energy Commission	30
Governor	19
California Public Utilities Commission	9
Electricity Oversight Board	2
Legislature	1
California Power Authority	1
Division of Oil or Gas	0
Chose more than one answer	1

Question 6

What is the source of your electricity at home?

SMUD - The Sacramento Municipal Utility District	52
Pacific Gas and Electric Company	25
Don't know	10
Northern California Power Authority	0
The Wall Socket	0
Chose more than one answer	5

Question 7

The price of gasoline has gone up recently. Tell us the ONE thing you think caused this increase.

Not enough gasoline (supply and demand)	37
The oil companies want higher profits	22
Increased costs for crude oil	17
Some refineries were not making gasoline	7
Prices always go up this time of year	5
The gasoline station owners want higher profits	2

Question 8

How important is energy to you in your daily life?

Very important, can't live without it	59
Important	26
Somewhat important	4
Not important	2
Not important at all, could live without	1
Don't know	0

Question 9

How often do your watch, listen to or read the news?

Daily	50
Two to three times a week	29
Once a week	12
Never	5
Once a month	2
Chose more than one answer	1

Question 10

What media do you watch, listen to or read for the news?

Television	68
Newspaper	9
Radio	8
Internet	6
None	2
Weekly news magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc.)	0
Chose more than one answer	6

Question 11

What television stations or cable channels do you watch for news?

Channel 3 - NBC - KCRA	42
Channel 40 - FOX - KTXL	14
Channel 10 - ABC - KXTV	12
Chose more than one answer	11
Don't Watch TV News	6
Channel 58 - KQCA	5
Channel 13 - CBS - KOVR	3
CNN - Cable News Network	2
MSNBC or CNBC - NBC Cable News	2
Fox Cable News	1
Channel 6 - PBS- KVIE	0

Question 12

If you were assigned a homework assignment about energy, where would you go to get information?

The Internet	79
Call a government agency for info	5
Newspapers	4
The Public Library	4
Books	1
Don’t Know	1
Magazines	0
The School Library	0
Chose more than one answer	6

Question 13

Do you have a computer and Internet access at home?

Computer with Internet access	89
Computer with no Internet access	4
No computer	2

Question 14

If you have Internet access at home, how fast is your connection?

Computer with Internet access	89
Phone Line and Modem 56k bps	40
Don't know	15
Cable Modem	14
DSL	13
Don't have Internet access at home	6
Computer with no Internet access	4
No computer	2
T1 Line	1

Question 15

Tell us your grade.

12^th grade

90

11^th grade

9

Question 16

Are you planning on going to college?

Yes

93

No

2

Question 17

Are you male for female?

Male

56

Female

43

Page Updated: May 28, 2002