2014 voter attitudes about energy
DESCRIPTION
Wide margins of Wisconsin voters say that they want to see Wisconsin meet more of its energy needs through clean, renewable sources like wind, solar and bioenergy and energy efficiency, according to a recent bipartisan poll. They are also more likely to support candidates this who say they will promote more use of clean renewable energy like wind and solar power. The polling was conducted July 26 through Aug. 3 by a bipartisan research team comprised of Public Opinion Strategies (R) and Fairbank, Maslin, Metz and Associates (D). The margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent, with more than 400 Wisconsin voters representing a cross section of demographics including political affiliation, race, sex and locality. The polling was done was part of nonpartisan outreach efforts to broaden the conversation on energy issues between candidates and voters throughout the Midwest.TRANSCRIPT
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Voter Attitudes Toward Energy Issues in Wisconsin
Key Findings from a Statewide Voter Survey
August 2014
2
Bipartisan Research Team
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) – a national Democratic opinion research firm with offices in Oakland, Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin – has specialized in public policy oriented opinion research since 1981. The firm has assisted hundreds of political campaigns at every level of the ballot – from President to City Council – with opinion research and strategic guidance. FM3 also provides research and strategic consulting to public agencies, businesses and public interest organizations nationwide.
Public Opinion Strategies is the largest Republican polling firm in the country. Since the firm’s founding in 1991, they have completed more than 10,000 research projects, interviewing more than five million Americans across the United States. Media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNBC, and National Public Radio rely on Public Opinion Strategies to conduct their polling. The firm conducts polling on behalf of hundreds of political campaigns, as well as trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, government entities and industry coalitions throughout the nation.
As a bipartisan team, FM3 and Public Opinion Strategies have researched a wide range of issues for nearly a decade, in particular on conservation-related initiatives and policies. Together, the two firms have jointly conducted research on behalf of political campaigns, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and public agencies in 42 states and nationally.
Dave Metz – FM3
Lori Weigel – POS
3
Methodology
• Survey conducted July 26 – August 3, 2014
• Interviews on landline and wireless phones with 413 randomly-selected Wisconsin registered voters
• Margin of sampling error of +/-4.9%
4
Key Findings
*Support for clean energy sources has remained consistently high for six yearsEnergy Efficiency – 95%, Solar – 88%, Wind – 83%
* Voters believe renewable energy and energy efficiency create jobs
* Voters favor a clean energy candidate
*Voters want to see expansion of Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
79%
67%
58%
50%
45%
18%
17%
14%
46%
16%
22%
25%
38%
44%
34%
31%
37%
38%
8%
7%
8%
11%
30%
24%
5%
6%
20%
22%
5%
7%
33%
6%
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp.Strng. Opp. DK/NA
Voters support increasing the use of many sources of energy, with varying intensity.Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or
oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.Total Supp.
Total Opp.
95% 4%
88% 11%
83% 14%
88% 5%
88% 10%
52% 15%
48% 50%
51% 46%
84% 10%
Energy efficiency
Solar
Wind
Hydropower^Natural gas
Biomass
Nuclear
^Coal
Biomass, energy from plant matter like switchgrass, wood
waste, and remains of crops after harvest
6
Total Supp.
Total Opp.
88% 11%
89% 7%86% 11%
83% 14%
85% 11%
82% 16%
84% 10%
81% 9%
From year to year there have been only minor variations in support for clean
energy…Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
67%
53%
59%
58%
60%
57%
46%
35%
22%
36%
27%
25%
25%
25%
38%
46%
8%
7%
7%
5%
8%
5%
6%
6%
6%
8%
5% 6%
10%
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp.Strng. Opp. DK/NA
Solar
Wind
Biomass, energy from plant matter like
switchgrass, wood waste, and remains of
crops after harvest
7
Total Supp.
Total Opp.
88% 10%
85% 12%
85% 11%
48% 50%
53% 41%
56% 35%
51% 46%
50% 44%
49% 45%
Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.
…and support for coal and nuclear remains lower by comparison.
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
45%
43%
47%
17%
19%
33%
14%
13%
18%
44%
42%
38%
31%
34%
23%
37%
37%
31%
8%
10%
7%
30%
21%
15%
24%
27%
22%
20%
20%
20%
22%
17%
23%
7%
9%
6%
5%
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
^Natural Gas
Nuclear
^Coal
8
Which of the following do you think should be the highest priority for meeting America’s energy needs?
Reducing our need for oil, natural gas and coal by increasing energy efficiency and
expanding our use of clean and renewable energy
Drilling and digging for more oil, natural gas, and coal within the United States
Both/Neither/DK/NA
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
64%
29%
7%
Voters would rather reduce the need for fossil fuels by expanding the use of energy efficiency and renewables.
OR
9
Developing more diverse and affordable transportation choices, including buses, light rail, and cars that run on cleaner fuels – such as biofuels and electric cars
Developing new oil fields and building pipelines, in order to get more Canadian tar sands petroleum to fuel our cars and trucks
Both/Neither/DK/NA
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
67%
27%
6%
OR
Likewise, they prefer developing transportation choices to pursuing
more fossil fuels.Which of the following do you think should be the highest priority for improving
transportation in the United States?
10I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in [STATE]. After you hear each one, please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose.
Voters in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin all back increases in the renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
State Current RPS Support for Increased
RPS
Illinois 25% by 2025 74% support a 40% RPS
Wisconsin 10% by 2015 73% support a 30% RPS
Minnesota 30% by 2025 70% support a 50% RPS
11
Voters believe increasing the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects will create new jobs….
Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources like
wind and solar power….
Energy efficiency projects like weatherizing and insulating
buildings, and upgrading appliances and technology in
homes and businesses….
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
67%
14%
10%
9%
Will create new jobs in Wisconsin
Will not affect jobs in Wisconsin
Will cost jobs in Wisconsin
All/None/DK
81%Believe It
Either Does Not Affect/
Creates Jobs
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
74%
15%
4%
8%
89%Believe It
Either Does Not Affect/
Creates Jobs
12
…and reduce energy costs.
Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources like
wind and solar power….
Energy efficiency projects like weatherizing and insulating
buildings, and upgrading appliances and technology in
homes and businesses….
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
46%
22%
21%
12%
Will reduce energy costs in Wisconsin
Will not affect energy costs in Wisconsin
Will increase energy costs in Wisconsin
All/None/DK
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
67%
13%
14%
6%
68%Believe It
Either Does Not Affect/Reduces
Costs
80%Believe It
Either Does Not Affect/Reduces
Costs
13
I should have the right to put solar on my own home and pay for it how I choose.
Utilities should be able to block residential customers from installing solar power, energy storage and other similar systems on their property.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
68%
5%
25%
7%
3%
14%
3%
73%
0%
Strng. Agr. Smwt. Agr. Smwt. Disagr. Strng. Disagr. DK/NA
Voters are rejecting utility efforts to block consumers’ access to renewable
energy.
6%93%
87%12%
14
Total Supp.
Total Opp.
86% 12%
73% 24%
67% 29%
Making it more affordable for residents and businesses to install solar power at
their homes or businesses
Requiring that Wisconsin get 30% of its electricity from renewable sources
Requiring utilities to double the amount of renewable energy they provide
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
65%
45%
37%
20%
28%
30%
6%
9%
14%
6%
15%
14%
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
No matter how you ask it, Wisconsin voters want more renewable energy.
I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in Wisconsin. Please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose.
15
In thinking about the election for state office in your area later this year, I am going to read you descriptions of different candidates. Please tell me which candidate you
think you would be most likely to vote for:
A candidate who wants to promote more use of clean, renewable energy – like wind and solar
power – in Wisconsin
A candidate who wants to continue to rely on coal, natural gas or nuclear power to meet
Wisconsin's energy needs
Both/Neither/DK/NA
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
70%
23%
7%
OR
Voters favor a candidate who wants a transition to renewables.
.
16
Most Wisconsin voters would like to see some action on global warming.
.
From what you know about global warming, which of the following four statements is closest to your opinion:
Global warming has been established as a serious problem, and immediate action is necessary
There is enough evidence that global warming is taking place that some action should be taken
We don’t know enough about global warming, and more research is necessary before we take action
Concern about global warming is unwarranted
0% 15% 30%
30%
24%
26%
17%
54%Believe Some Action
Should be Taken
17
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
DK/NA
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
57%
27%
8%
6%
2%
Limiting the amount of carbon pollution from power plants
Strongly approve
Somewhat approve
Somewhat disapprove
Strongly disapprove
DK/NA
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
25%
32%
16%
24%
3%
Would you approve or disapprove of a proposal that would require companies to reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming, even if it would mean higher utility bills for consumers to pay
for the changes?
Total Approve
57%
Total Disapprove
40%
Total Support
84%
Total Oppose
14%
Wisconsin voters approve of limiting carbon pollution – even with higher
utility bills.
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