R5 The Pulse: A Survey of Westchester County Residents' Energy Consumption and Conservation Habits

Is It Easy or Not Easy Being Green?

This month, we asked about your energy consumption and conservation habits (or lack thereof).

When it comes to energy conservation…
I try to conserve where I can, but it’s not easy (56%)  I’m always leaving my lights and appliances on. Bad, right? (27%) I conserve so much I have the carbon footprint of a flea (17%)

Do you use compact fluorescent bulbs?
YES    65%
NO    35%

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The biggest way I conserve energy is…
my Energy Star appliances     31%
my hybrid vehicle    20%
my miserly thermostat settings     16%
not going to the gym     16%
living in the dark     13%
carpooling      4%

The biggest way I waste energy is…
my numerous gadgets and appliances     36%
driving my gas-hogging SUV     31%
wasting water     17%
driving too much     9%
going to the gym     7%

What’s your position on Indian Point?
It should be phased out, but
only after we have replacement sources online     47%
Shut it down, pronto     24%
I’d rather have four-eyed fish in the
Hudson than face $500 electricity
bills from Con Ed     18%
What’s Indian Point?     11%

What is the most important thing you think we should do about the price of oil and gas?
Require more fuel-efficient vehicles    33%
Start walking and biking more     18%
Spend more research money to perfect alternative-energy vehicles    16%
Invest more in public
transportation    13%
Cut our gasoline taxes     11%
Allow more off-shore drilling     9%