Poll Suggests that 71 Percent of Americans Want a Clean Energy Bill

Americans are proving their loyalty to clean air, water and soil. A new study breaks down the numbers for us.

71% of likely voters who were polled, favor the American Clean Energy and Security Act recently passed by the House of Representatives

• 67% believe Congress is doing the right amount
• 22% believe Congress should be doing more
• 28% believe that Congress is doing too much.

These responses were in reference to the following statement regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act:

“The House of Representatives recently passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would require electric power companies to generate 20 percent of their power from clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by the year 2020.  Also included is a global warming plan which would reduce greenhouse gases from sources like power plants and factories by 17 percent, and an energy efficiency plan which includes new appliance standards and building codes to conserve energy.”

Of those who had a favorable review of the bill;

• 45% were Republicans
  
• 73% were of Independents
• and 89% were Democrats
  

The survey finds that two-thirds (68%) of likely voters believe a new American energy policy will not result in job losses, with a majority believing such efforts could instead bring about job growth.

Respondents were asked how “efforts to reduce global warming and promote clean energy” will impact American jobs, and more than half (51%) believe this would lead to new job creation, while another 17% believe these efforts will not affect American jobs.

When presented with arguments for and against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including concerns about the impact of the legislation on energy prices, a majority (54%) believe the Senate should now take action, with (41%) preferring that the Senate wait.

• 54% believe the Senate should take action on the bill because “we need a new energy plan right now that invests in American, renewable energy sources like wind and solar, in order to create clean energy jobs, address global warming and reduce our dependency on foreign oil.”

• 41% believe that the Senate should instead wait because “the House energy bill is a hidden tax that will cost thousands of dollars every year in increased energy prices, weaken our economy further, and cause America to lose jobs to China and other countries.”

The Zogby International telephone survey of 1,005 likely voters was commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation and was conducted from July 31-August 4, 2009. The survey carries a margin of error of +/-3.2%.

Source: Zogby International

Related posts:

1. Reactions to the Clean Energy Bill that Passed the House (Obama and Gore)
2. Message from Al Gore – Clean Energy Bill (Video)
3. President Obama on the Clean Energy and Security Act (Video)