PHOENIX (February 5, 2020) – The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Greater Phoenix Chamber are sharing key findings of a recent customer survey highlighting that 92 percent of respondents statewide prefer having the choice of using natural gas in their home.
The poll, which was conducted by OH Predictive Insights from November 15 to December 23, 2019 using a sample size of over 1,000 natural gas customers in Arizona with a margin of error of 1.94 percent, also found that 82 percent of respondents were strongly opposed to natural gas being eliminated from their homes. In addition, 74 percent of respondents were largely unaware of policies to remove the option of natural gas as an in-home energy source.
In response to energy policies from around the country that aim to limit access to natural gas, a diverse coalition of organizations has formed to support SB 1222 and HB 2686. The legislation sponsored by Senate President Karen Fann, Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, and other members from both parties, is designed to protect balanced energy solutions in Arizona for consumers and businesses.
“This survey demonstrates that people who use natural gas value its economic and environmental benefits,” said Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “Natural Gas is clean, affordable and domestically abundant, and helps to stimulate economic growth as well as Arizona’s standing as we compete for economic development, nationally and internationally. Passage of SB 1222 and HB 2686 is one of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s top priorities for the 2020 legislative session.”
“Natural Gas is affordable, reliable and helps to support and grow many of Phoenix’s high wage jobs and biotech companies,” stressed Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “We applaud the efforts of legislators on both side of the aisle who are working to protect access to natural gas for Arizonans.”
“Natural gas fuels manufacturing and helps to create jobs,” said Dawn Grove, chair of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. “The natural gas industry is a major contributor in expanding our local and national economy in a clean and sustainable way.”
The survey also highlighted that natural gas is perceived by 82 percent of respondents to be an affordable energy source.
“Keeping utilities affordable is important,” stressed Cynthia Zwick, executive director of Wildfire, a nonprofit movement working to end poverty. “Banning natural gas very likely means an increase in utility bills and other costs to bring homes up to new standards, which will be difficult if not impossible for far too many customers to afford. Natural gas use can help to meet energy needs while ensuring that we don’t overburden consumers, and any solution must not harm low and fixed income Arizonans.”
The survey also substantiated that natural gas is viewed as a reliable, efficient and clean energy source.
“Our members at the Arizona Restaurant Association prefer natural gas because it provides a consistent, reliable and more controllable heat source for our chef’s culinary needs,” said Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association.
“As a homebuilder, there is absolutely a demand from our customers to provide the cleaner choice of natural gas to help fuel their homes,” said Randy Agron, vice president and COO of A.F. Sterling Homes.
SB 1222 and HB 2686 are supported by the following organizations:
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arizona Manufacturers Council, Greater Phoenix Chamber, East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Chamber of Commerce, Greater Yuma Economic Development Council, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Americans for Prosperity Arizona, Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Goldwater Institute, Arizona Restaurant Association, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Robson Communities, Arizona Multihousing Association, Arizona Association of Realtors, Arizona Retailers Association, the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Southwest Gas Corporation, Unisource Energy Services, Arizona Propane Gas Association, Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative, Western States Petroleum Association, Arizona Municipal Power Users Association, Transwestern Pipeline Company, EPCOR Water, Wildfire, AARP and the Tucson Urban League.