Issue: Solar

American voters care a lot about clean air and water and favor clean energy. 96% of people agree that “clean air and water” are important, similar to the levels of people who agree that “healthcare” (97%) and “jobs and the economy” (95%) are important. 72% believe it would be better for America’s future to invest in wind, solar, and energy storage (compared to 28% who believe it’s better to invest in fossil fuels). Within that 72%, 87% of Democrats agree and 55% of Republicans agree. 73% of all voters believe that clean energy is “extremely” or “very” important to America’s future. 79% of voter favor tax incentives to expand the clean energy industry. This survey asked a few more questions about Americans’ support for clean energy policy.

This deck from polling firm Global Strategy Group compiles recent public opinion findings on climate and clean energy issues, including the top-testing messaging and language to proactively talk about climate and health, economic impacts, and environmental justice as well as guidance on how to respond to attacks.
(This deck was collected by the Environmental Polling Consortium. If you would like to learn more about the EPC and receive weekly polling insights, please contact epc@partnershipproject.org)

Majorities of likely voters support the climate investment and tax incentives of Build Back Better. 70% of all likely voters support investments to make homes, buildings, and schools more energy efficiency (86% support among Democrats, 54% among Republians). 67% support investments in clean energy research. 65% support tax credits for clean energy projects. 63% support clean energy performance incentives for utilities. 62% support investments in frontline communities. 57% support creating a Civilian Climate Corps. 57% support investments to make electric vehicles more affordable. 54% support phasing out coal, oil, and gas.             

Climate change is a major motivator to support clean energy among civically engaged Latinos. A survey of supporters of the Latino civic engagement organization Mi Familia Vota Education Fund found that climate was as or more often rated as an “extremely important” rationale for moving to 100% clean energy cities than any other reason, including the job benefits it could produce. Additionally, neither school systems nor city government emerged as an obviously more attractive campaign target when survey respondents were asked about their familiarity with and confidence in influencing these two institutions (i.e., “efficacy” beliefs). This research was conducted as part of a field research grant to Climate Parents from the Climate Advocacy Lab.

A large majority of likely voters in battleground congressional districts support federal investments in infrastructure and clean energy. 70% of likely voters surveyed (in 9 total congressional districts across 7 states) support the recently-passed federal infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, pipes, transportation, and electric power. Support was polarized: 93% of Democrats expressed support, compared to 64% of independents and 48% of Republicans. On a separate question, 66% of all likely voters support making additional climate and clean energy investments (with similarly polarized support). Similar levels of all likely voters also support the $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” package proposal. Further, 50% of voters said they would be more likely to vote against a politician who opposed the Build Back Better proposal.             

This post includes a roundup of climate + environment headlines from this week’s public polls, good data points to highlight, and a full roundup including key takeaways from each poll.
HEADLINES

Climate Power + LCV – Investments in clean energy, climate action, and environmental justice bolster support for the reconciliation bill; the most persuasive messages focus on economic aspects including how the bill will lower costs for households (Slide Deck)
Climate Power + Data for Progress – Voters support a range of climate-related proposals that were left out of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, especially clean electricity incentives, investments in energy efficiency, and investments in solar and wind (Release, Memo, Topline)
POLITICO + Morning Consult – Voters continue to back the bipartisan infrastructure bill, especially investments in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure; voters are more split on the reconciliation package, but overwhelmingly support expanded home care for the elderly and disabled (Topline, Crosstabs)
Data for Progress – Voters think that oil and gas companies have too much power, especially after learning about comments made by a senior Exxon lobbyist; “oil and gas companies” are a more compelling villain than “fossil fuel companies” (Release, Topline)
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication + George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication – Petition signing is the most appealing ask to get voters involved in climate advocacy, and there is clear interest in community preparedness groups (Summary, Full Report)

Virginia voters favor solar and wind energy and feel modestly toward nuclear and natural gas. In this July 2021 survey found that 55% of Virginians think that more emphasis should be placed on solar energy. 45% feel the same about wind energy, 38% about natural gas, 37% about nuclear, and 23% about coal. 61% of Virginians agree with an “all the above” energy strategy that prioritizes clean energy. 60% support requiring Virginia utilities to participate in a regional transmission system aimed at “prompting reliability and price-control measures for consumers.” 62% support the major Virginia clean energy law (the “Virginia Clean Energy Economy Act”). Mostly, liberal and Democratic voters significantly support all these things, and conservative and Republican voters are somewhat split on these measures.