You are invited to participate in a research study investigating Western Upper Peninsula residents’ perceptions of potentially transitioning to 100% renewable energy resources (e.g. solar, hydro, wind, etc.) to meet all of the region’s electricity supply needs. This study is being conducted by Adewale Adesanya, a Ph.D. candidate at in the Environmental and Energy Policy program at Michigan Technological University’s (MTU) Department of Social Sciences. This research is an integral part of my dissertation and is partially funded by MTU’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). 

Your participation in this online survey is important because you are a resident in one of Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula (WUP) counties. For this research, residents are considered as those living in WUP either part-time or full-time. Also, participants in this survey are limited to WUP residents who are 18 years or older. 

There are no known risks if you decide to participate in this research study. There are no costs to you for participating in the study. While the information collected in this study may not benefit you directly, the information you provide will help us develop understanding of public perception in the use of 100% renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and hydro for the purpose of electricity generation in WUP. This survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Any personal information or contact that are provided in the course of this survey will be stripped from your data, and no data reported will be linked to your personal data. Although your absolute anonymity cannot be guaranteed over the Internet, your IP address will not be collected. No one will be able to identify you or your answers, and no one will know whether or not you participated in the study. Should the data be published, no individual information will be disclosed.

As a way of appreciation, all participants who complete the survey and provided a phone number will be entered into a drawing and two participants will win a $100 gift card to a local business such as grocery store, gas station, etc. The draw will take place on 30th of October, 2020 when the two winners will be notified by their phone number. In that regard, please note that the chances of winning are very slim, considering hundreds of expected numbers of responses. However, a report from this research will be posted on your county and or public library website where you can have free access to.

Your participation in this study is voluntary. By completing and submitting this online survey, you are voluntarily agreeing to participate. You are free to decline to answer any particular question you do not wish to answer for any reason.

If you have any questions about the study, please contact the researcher Adewale Adesanya at: adesanya@mtu.edu

A Human Research Protections personnel at Michigan Tech has reviewed my request to conduct this project.  If you have any concerns about your rights in this study, they can be reached at 906-487-2902 or via email at irb@mtu.edu   

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* 1. Which one among Western UP counties is your primary place of residence located in?

(please select ONE)

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* 2. How would you describe your current level of knowledge about each of the following renewable energy resources for electricity supply?

Solar energy

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* 3. Wind energy

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* 4. Hydro energy

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* 5. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following:

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
I would be more likely to support my municipality if I knew they’ve invested in renewable electricity
I think solar electricity is a good investment for local businesses
Solar electricity can meaningfully contribute to energy production for my municipality
I think wind electricity is a good investment for local businesses
Wind electricity can meaningfully contribute to energy production for my municipality
I think hydroelectricity is a good investment for local businesses
Hydroelectricity can meaningfully contribute to energy production for my municipality

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* 6. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following:

  Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
It is the responsibility of all Americans to take actions to address climate change
Using renewable energy can meaningfully address climate change
Solar energy technology is needed to meaningfully address climate change
Wind energy technology is needed to meaningfully address climate change
Hydro energy technology is needed to meaningfully address climate change
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