MARYLAND VOTERS WANT RENEWABLES POLICY TO DRIVE IN-STATE JOB GROWTH, BE AFFORDABLE

Recent Maryland statewide opinion and issue poll indicates there is strong belief that Maryland is on the right track (65% right direction, 28% wrong track, 9% don’t know), and broad appeal towards a comprehensive clean energy plan beyond the current RPS proposal.

  • There is strong support for expanding renewable energy sources such as solar (86%), wind (82%), hydro (75%) and geothermal (67%). Over seven-in-ten favor expanding natural gas.
  • Maryland voters value energy sources that reduce pollution in their state and create jobs. They also ideally want the most affordable energy choices, but 59% are willing to pay a few dollars more per month. Those who are most price sensitive include: Republicans, Men 45+, Independents 45+, non-college men, Baltimore City.
  • Three-fourths of voters favor (47% strongly) a 50% RPS standard by 2030, while 67% also favor broadening the definition of qualifying technologies to include more in-state sources of energy.
  • Voters narrowly favor a proposal (48%-44%) which calls for 50% renewable by 2030 over one which gets to 100% clean energy by 2040 with a mix of clean and renewable sources, including nuclear.
  • However, when the two proposals are summarized differently, there is a strong preference (55% -38%) for setting a goal for 100% clean energy by 2040 with the goal of no rate increase over a goal for 50% renewable energy by 2030 which is likely to include a rate increase of $1.50 per household per month. In this scenario, nuclear energy is not mentioned which may explain the increase for the 2040 option.

The poll was conducted by Bellwether Research & Consulting. telephone survey of 600 voters in Maryland conducted March 10-12, 2019. The survey has a margin of error of + 4%.

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that educates the public and influences the national conversation around responsible clean energy solutions that are actionable, market-friendly, and responsible. 

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