OHIO – In a new poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQR), Ohioans show strong, bipartisan support for generating 100 percent of Ohio’s electricity using clean, renewable energy.
The polling, released by the Sierra Club, shows that 7 in 10 Ohio voters would favor a goal of generating 100 percent of the state’s electricity using clean and renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030. Support comes from across the political spectrum, with 84 percent of self-identified Democrats, 64 percent of independents, and 61 percent of Republicans endorsing this goal.
“The overwhelming majority of Buckeyes want to have their energy coming from clean, renewable resources and energy efficiency. This poll once again reminds us that Ohio's roadblocks to strong energy efficiency and renewable energy progress are political and not based on public sentiment or sound economic theory,” said Jen Miller, director of the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter. “Clean energy reduces energy bills, improves air quality, and brings jobs to the state. We call on Ohio leaders to listen to their constituents and major employers like Amazon, which is building a wind farm in Hardin County, and AEP Ohio, which is moving forward with 900 MW of wind and solar. Ohio not only needs strong energy efficiency and renewable energy standards and to lift prohibitive wind setbacks that have stranded billions of dollars of investment, the state should be going much further to embrace the 21st-century economy.”
“Bold leadership has a history of protecting Clevelanders from harmful pollution. Forty-nine years ago, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire and led to the creation of the EPA. Today, 77 percent of voters in Cuyahoga County say they would support elected leaders who want to power Cleveland with 100 percent clean, renewable energy,” said Jocelyn Travis, chair of Ready for 100 Cleveland. “We need Mayor Jackson and city leaders to commit to this vision to ensure Cleveland has an energy system that is equitable, just, and will power our city for generations.”
61 cities across the country have now committed to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy.
Other key findings from the poll include:
Most Ohio voters believe their state can meet a 100 percent clean energy goal by 2030. Fifty-six percent of voters say they believe this goal is realistic. This percentage jumped to 63 percent when survey respondents learned that over 50 cities across the country have already adopted this goal. Over half of those surveyed (53 percent) say they would have a more favorable impression of an elected official who supports a goal of 100 percent clean energy. One-in-three voters (37 percent) say they would be “much more favorable” towards such an official.
See the full survey results here.
“Columbus has been making great strides on the environment, and now is the time for city leaders to build on that foundation by committing to 100 percent renewable energy,” said Cathy Cowan Becker, chair of Ready for 100 Columbus. “This poll shows a decisive majority of voters in every demographic, political party, and a section of the state not only support the goal 100 percent clean energy but believe this goal is within reach. Renewable energy creates jobs that can't be outsourced while improving our air and water and making our cities healthier. There is no downside.”
“This poll proves that Ohioans are ready for 100 percent clean energy now and want to see elected officials and community leaders to take a bold stand on this effort,” said Mathew Roberts, a volunteer with Ready for 100 Athens. “The City of Athens has already adopted a Sustainability Action Plan to set clear renewable energy targets year-by-year. Now, leaders in the community are organizing in innovative ways to move Athens to 100 percent.” One such initiative in Athens is a proposed electric aggregation program that would help fund solar installations in the city.
“State and local leaders across the country should take note: our most recent survey found that at least two-thirds of voters in every state we polled support transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources and a majority would feel more favorable towards a local official if they supported 100% renewable energy,” said Elizabeth Sena, partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.
GQR conducted the survey among 500 registered voters in Ohio between December 13 and 17, 2017 using live interviewers. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.