Rising Energy Costs, Climate and Clean Air Among Top Concerns for Arizonans, New Poll Finds

As Arizonans face higher energy costs, a new statewide poll shows that energy affordability is now a leading concern for Arizona families, with residents expressing overwhelming support for programs that help lower their monthly utility bills.

According to the poll, nearly 80% of Arizonans say their electric bill has increased in the past two years. More than 60% say their summer utility bills are difficult to afford, and six in 10 report that they have raised their thermostat to an uncomfortable temperature to save money.

The poll was commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Arizona (TNC) in partnership with Arizona PIRG Education Fund to better understand Arizonans’ energy needs and concerns, as electricity demand has surged to unprecedented levels across the state, due in part to economic growth and extreme heat.

The poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, surveyed 1,020 Arizonans, including a combination of registered voters and a broader sample of Arizona adults.

The findings suggest that energy affordability is having a real and noticeable impact on daily life for many Arizona households. However, it’s not just energy costs that concern Arizona residents. Across the Grand Canyon State, Arizonans rank climate change as their second biggest energy concern and air pollution as their third.

Notably, only 13% of the respondents favored increasing fossil fuel production like coal and gas as a statewide energy policy, while 42% said expanding renewable energy should be the priority.

“Even as rising energy costs remain a top concern, climate change and air pollution are also important issues for Arizona residents,” said Nicole Hill, climate and energy program director for TNC Arizona. “That’s why it’s important to pursue solutions that can keep energy affordable while addressing environmental challenges.”

As a solution to these issues, the survey found overwhelming support for energy efficiency programs offered by utilities, with 88% of respondents showing their support. Additionally, 81% said they would financially support expanding rebates and incentives designed to lower monthly energy bills and reduce household costs.

“The data underscore that Republicans, Independents and Democrats; homeowners and renters; college-educated and non-college-educated individuals; and residents living in both rural and urban parts of our state are aligned on the need to address high electric bills,” said Diane E. Brown, executive director of Arizona PIRG Education Fund. “Energy efficiency programs are recognized as a proven and important tool to reduce costs, reduce energy waste and reduce air pollution.”

Yet, despite strong support, awareness of available programs is limited. The poll found that most Arizonans are unfamiliar with energy efficiency programs that could help reduce energy costs, and even fewer have taken advantage of available rebates and incentives.

The findings suggest that expanding awareness of existing energy efficiency programs may help Arizona households lower energy costs while addressing environmental and health concerns.

TNC Arizona and Arizona PIRG Education Fund encourage Arizonans seeking to reduce their energy bill to contact their utility to discuss available programs as well as visit EfficiencyArizona.com to see if they qualify for energy efficiency home rebates.