Issue: Solar

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including a new report from Pew about Americans’ beliefs and preferences for climate policy, new polling about residential solar, and new research about the emotions behind climate activism.

In our final IRA Data & Insights Hub report of the year, we share how partners in our Field Research Program are building evidence-based messaging to persuade communities on the benefits of clean energy and climate justice solutions. Read below for highlights on what we’re learning at the doors and online from communities in New York, Maine, and New Jersey.

Guidance on countering misinformation about wind and solar farms

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including new polling on recent hurricanes and the government’s disaster response, new polling on renewable energy and grid expansion, and new state polls about energy issues in Pennsylvania, California, and Texas.

Voters in California and Texas both overwhelmingly agree that their states should be doing more to encourage solar power; voters see clear benefits of solar power for grid reliability, the economy, and costs. In California: Solar power – 85% agree that their utility should be using more; Wind power – 78%; Offshore wind power – 72%; Natural gas power – 57%; Nuclear power – 52%. In Texas: Solar power – 73% agree that their utility should be using more; Wind power – 69%; Natural gas power – 67%; Nuclear power – 50%; Coal power – 40%. Accordingly, large majorities in both California (85%) and Texas (71%) agree that their state’s policymakers should be doing more to encourage the use of solar power. In both states, there is a potent argument that solar can help to make an outdated electric grid more resilient and reliable.