Voters Support Action on Energy and Global Warming

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Washington, DC - 11/09/2009 - Recent surveys of voters conducted in three swing states and five swing congressional districts find overwhelming support for a two-part plan to reduce global warming emissions and to require use of clean energy sources.

There is support in all three states for the combined proposal to reduce emissions and require clean energy sources. When asked, “Congress is considering an energy plan that has two key parts. One part would require factories and power companies to reduce their emissions of the carbon pollution that causes global warming by 17% (20% in MO) by the year 2020 and by 80% by the year 2050. The other part would require power companies to generate 15% of their power from clean energy sources like wind and solar by the year 2025. Would you favor/oppose this entire plan?”

* 75% of voters in Michigan favor.
* 68% of voters in Ohio favor.
* 67% of voters in Missouri favor.

The Pew Environment Group commissioned surveys by The Mellman Group, a leading Democratic firm, and Public Opinion Strategies, a leading Republican firm. Both have worked extensively throughout the United States for a range of corporations, nonprofit organizations and elected officials. The three surveys were conducted in August through October with 600 likely 2010 general election voters each. The margin of error was +/- 4.0% overall, higher for subgroups.

"Our surveys consistently find that voters across these three states and five congressional districts support efforts to address global warming and require the use of more clean energy sources," said Mark Mellman, president of The Mellman Group. "These voters see global warming as a serious threat that is happening now and favor action to reduce carbon emissions."

Surveys in five congressional districts also found that voters favor elements of the two-part plan to reduce emissions and require use of clean energy sources passed by the House. When asked, “Congress is considering an energy plan that has two key parts. One part would require factories and power companies to reduce their emissions of the carbon pollution that causes global warming by 17% by the year 2020 and by 80% by the year 2050. The other part would require power companies to generate 20% of their power from clean energy sources like wind and solar by the year 2025. Would you favor or oppose this entire plan?”

* 61% of voters in Florida’s 2nd district support.
* 69% of voters in New Mexico’s 2nd district support.
* 63% of voters in Ohio’s 16th district support.
* 70% of voters in Virginia’s 5th district support.
* 68% of voters in Washington’s 8th district support.

The surveys of VA-5, OH-16, NM-2 and FL-2 were conducted by The Mellman Group and WA-8 was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies in July, August and September of 2009 with 400 likely 2010 general election voters each. The margin of error was +/- 4.9% overall, higher for subgroups. In the statewide polls, voters were asked if they would support requiring power companies to generate 15% of their power from clean energy sources. This number differs from the 20% that voters in the district polls were presented due to developments with the targets in the Senate legislation.

“These surveys show broad support among voters across these states for efforts to reduce global warming, and more specifically, for the two-part energy plan being considered by Congress,” said Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies.

“Voters in these key states support taking action on global warming and increasing access to clean energy because they know it will be good for the economy, make America more secure and create new jobs and industries in the U.S.,” said Phyllis Cuttino who directs the Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Global Warming Campaign.

Source: Pew