Ricky Junquera, (617) 599-7048, ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
LANSING, MI – In a new poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQR), Michiganders show strong, bipartisan support for generating 100 percent of Michigan’s electricity using clean, renewable energy.
The polling, released today by the Sierra Club, shows that 7 in 10 Michigan voters would favor a goal of generating 100% of the state’s electricity using clean and renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030. Support comes from across the political spectrum, with 88% of self-identified Democrats, 74% of independents, and 46% of Republicans endorsing this goal.
"I have seen more and more people in my community talking about renewable energy. It is good to see that all across the state people are embracing wind and solar energy. Here in Oak Park we have been organizing to join in the pledge to going to 100% renewable energy by 2030,” said Brother Thomas Zerafa OFM III of Oak Park, MI.
"It is exciting to see the tide change around renewable energy in Michigan. I have been encouraged by signs of renewable energy being embraced, from more wind projects breaking ground in Michigan, to major utilities signaling that renewable energy is our future,” said George Heartwell, former Mayor of the City of Grand Rapids. “This poll shows what I have known for so long, that renewable energy is the answer. I can only hope the big utilities start to listen to what the people want."
“From the Colorado Rockies to the coast of Virginia, people across the United States are ready for 100 percent clean and renewable energy,” said Jodie Van Horn, Director of the Ready for 100 Campaign. “Communities already see the benefits of clean energy and are ready to switch to cleaner, more affordable power like wind and solar. That’s why more than 60 cities nationwide have committed to 100 percent clean and renewable energy.”
Other key findings from the poll include:
Most Michiganders believe their state can meet a 100% clean energy goal by 2030. Fifty-eight percent of voters say they believe this goal is realistic. This percentage jumped to 64% when survey respondents learned that over 50 cities across the country have already adopted this goal.
Over half of Michiganders (60%) say they would have a more favorable impression of an elected official who supports a goal of 100% clean energy. About one-in-three voters (31%) say they would be “much more favorable” towards such an official.
See the full survey results here.
“As I meet with Michiganders from across the state, I see excitement for renewable energy increasing,” said Regina Strong, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Michigan. “Utility customers throughout the state are actively pushing for their cities and towns to commit to 100% renewable energy by 2030, and they are gaining ground in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Oak Park, and other communities across the state.”
“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 Michigan between December 13 and 17, 2017 using live interviewers. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.4% at the 95% confidence level.
ABOUT GREENBERG QUINLAN ROSNER RESEARCH:
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner is one of the world's premier opinion research and strategic consulting firms. For over three decades, GQR has used sophisticated polling and opinion research to help leading candidates, parties, government leaders, corporations, and advocacy groups across the United States and around the world.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.