VOTERS WANT ACTION ON CLIMATE

Voters in Key States Overwhelmingly Support Action on Energy and Global Warming
Brandon MacGillis, 9 November 2009 (The Pew Environment Group)

"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?'"

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"[Democratic and Republican pollsters found from August through October that] 75% of voters in Michigan favor…68% of voters in Ohio favor…67% of voters in Missouri favor…"

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"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 [almost the same question]…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…

"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…"