The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities, a New Mexico public power utility, wants to better understand community perspectives on electrification, or the gradual transition away from natural gas usage to electricity only, it said in late July.
An online survey on the topic was emailed to DPU’s utility customers and seeks feedback on DPU’s goal of achieving zero natural gas usage by 2070.
A collaborative effort, the survey is being distributed by DPU while research and analysis is being conducted by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and New Mexico State University (NMSU).
Achieving the goal largely depends on the community shifting away from natural gas for heating, cooking and other household/business energy uses by replacing gas appliances with electric appliances, DPU noted.
The survey touches on cost considerations, reliability, environmental impact and personal experience, and the results are intended to help shape policies, incentive programs and outreach efforts aimed at facilitating an equitable and efficient transition to an all-electric future.
DPU’s management and decision makers hope all utility customers will take the survey before it closes on September 8.
The survey is being conducted in two parts and participants are encouraged to take both parts.
“It is essential that participants complete part 1, which looks at current natural gas and electricity uses. Part 2 of the survey uses electrification scenarios to gauge community sentiment on various aspects of electrification,” DPU said.
