Report
Poll: Strong voter preference for stimulus for clean energy, not fossil fuels
A new poll by Climate Nexus, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication finds voters would much prefer that lawmakers devote coronavirus relief efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding clean energy, rather than providing aid to the fossil fuel industry.
A new poll by Climate Nexus, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication finds voters would much prefer that lawmakers devote coronavirus relief efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding clean energy, rather than providing aid to the fossil fuel industry.
As Congress prepares to begin debate on a new package of coronavirus stimulus aid following the July 4th recess, a new poll finds voters would much prefer that lawmakers devote coronavirus relief efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding clean energy, rather than providing aid to the fossil fuel industry.
The poll, conducted by Climate Nexus, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, surveyed 9,087 U.S. registered voters from June 6-11.
In order to protect jobs in their state, voters said the federal government should prioritize assistance to the clean energy industry (70%) over the fossil fuel industry (30%). Voters also indicated the issue would matter at the ballot box: 62% said they would be more likely to support candidates who were in favor of providing stimulus aid to the renewable energy industry – twice as many as who said backing financial bailouts to the fossil fuel industry would make them more inclined to vote for a candidate (31%). Moreover, a majority – 52% – said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supports fossil fuel industry bailouts.
Credit: Climate Nexus
Additionally, voters want recovery packages to include stipulations that recipients of federal aid be in compliance with environmental and labor regulations (80%), and voters want airlines getting a bailout to be required to create and implement a plan to reduce their emissions (70%).
Climate Nexus supports BailoutWatch, and is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a 501(c)3 that helps individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporations achieve their philanthropic goals. RPA’s tax disclosures can be found here.