Emily Pomilio, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org
Stephanie Steinbrecher, stephanie.steinbrecher@sierraclub.org
PENNSYLVANIA – In a new poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQR), Pennsylvanians show strong, bipartisan support for generating 100 percent of the state’s electricity using clean, renewable energy.
The poll, released today by the Sierra Club, shows that more than 7 in 10 Pennsylvania 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 85 percent of self-identified Democrats, 71 percent of independents, and 52 percent of Republicans endorsing this goal.
"Pittsburghers know what it means for our families to live enveloped in pollution, and we also know what it takes to rebuild and innovate a new economy with resilient communities," said Eva Resnick-Day, Community Organizer on Pittsburgh's Ready for 100 campaign. "Pittsburghers across backgrounds and sectors have been working tirelessly to build clean energy and efficiency solutions accessible to all, and the benefits we are seeing are reflecting in our community's support for a bold vision of 100 percent clean 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.”
Downingtown, Phoenixville, and West Chester, Pennsylvania are among the 61 U.S. cities that have already committed to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
Other key findings from the poll include:
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Most Pennsylvanians believe their state can meet a 100 percent clean energy goal by 2030. Fifty-three percent of voters say they believe this goal is realistic. This percentage jumped to 61 percent when voters learned that over 50 cities across the country have already adopted this goal, including three in Pennsylvania.
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Sixty-four percent of survey respondents say they would have a more favorable impression of an elected official who supports a goal of 100 percent clean energy. More than one-in-three voters (36 percent) say they would be “much more favorable” towards such an official.
See the full survey results here.
“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 Pennsylvania 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.
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.