Shane Levy, Sierra Club - shane.levy@sierraclub.org
OAKLAND, Calif. - In new state polling conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQR), Americans from five states across the country express strong support for generating 100 percent of electricity using clean, renewable energy like wind and solar.
The poll, released today by the Sierra Club, surveyed voters in five states: Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
According to the survey results, more than two-thirds of voters in each state surveyed support statewide goals of generating 100 percent of electricity by clean, renewable sources like wind and solar by 2030. Sixty-seven percent of Virginia voters, sixty-eight percent of Colorado voters, and roughly seven in ten voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan support generating all of the electricity in their respective states with clean and renewable sources of energy.
“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 50 cities nationwide have committed to 100 percent clean and renewable energy.”
61 cities across the country have already committed to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. Counties and states are increasingly exploring a 100 percent clean energy transition, as well.
Other key findings from the polling include:
Most survey respondents are confident that their states can meet the goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2030. Fifty-six percent of Ohio voters, fifty-seven percent of Colorado voters, fifty-eight percent of Michigan voters, fifty-three percent of Pennsylvania voters, and fifty-five percent of Virginia voters say they believe this goal is realistic.
Over half of those surveyed in each of the five states say they would have a more favorable impression of an elected official who supports a goal of 100% clean energy.
Support for the goal of 100 percent clean energy also cuts across party lines. About two-thirds of both Republican women and ideologically liberal to moderate Republicans back this goal in Pennsylvania. Over 6 in 10 Republican and independent voters in Ohio support the goal.
“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.
See the individual state memos here.
GQR conducted the survey among 500 registered voters in each of the five states surveyed (Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia) between December 12 and 17, 2017 using live interviewers. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.4% at the 95% confidence level.
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.