Issue: IRA

Describe the clean energy aspects of the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) as a “landmark achievement” to address climate change and show off local benefits to communities, rather than as a way for people to save money. This is one insight from the Potential Energy Coalition’s research after they surveyed over 15,000 people, tested dozens of messages and gathered hundreds of hours of interview data from Americans across the political spectrum in the past nine months. All to answer the question, what is the best way to talk about clean energy that gets Americans excited? This webinar also covered the public’s current state of opinion and knowledge on these topics, other effective messages and messaging traps to avoid, plus wording guidance.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including new polling on federal climate action, President Biden’s approval on climate and environmental issues in the wake of the Willow decision, IRA awareness and support, and proposals to reduce plastic pollution.

Community benefits agreements (CBAs) are popular. New polling finds that 72 percent of likely voters support the use of CBAs on development projects (a +56-point margin of support). And support for CBAs holds across partisan lines, with 85 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of Independents, and 57 percent of Republicans in favor. From a race and ethnicity standpoint, support is highest amongst Latina/o (86 percent) and Black (77 percent) voters. 75 percent of likely voters also support the inclusion of local hiring commitments and 76 percent support funding for job training programs within CBAs. Likely voters also broadly favor hiring commitments for veterans (77 percent support), women (59 percent support), and people of color (51 percent support). Beyond labor benefits, voters also strongly support the use of CBAs to provide funding for senior citizen programs (76 percent), community centers and parks (76 percent), cleaning up polluted sites (76 percent), youth outreach programs (75 percent), mental health and substance abuse services (72 percent), affordable housing (72 percent), public transportation (64 percent), local community organizations (63 percent), and a local grocery store (50 percent).