WASHINGTON – A new survey conducted by Republican pollster Alex Lundry on behalf of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum and Centerline Liberties found that nearly three-fourths (71%) of American voters say making renewable energy a bigger part of the country’s energy supply is the right move, with a clear majority (58%) of voters saying they are more likely to support a federal candidate that strongly supports renewables.
A polling memo detailing the survey’s key findings and methodology can be found here. The survey explores the most critical issues facing Americans. The data reveals that renewable energy receives broad bipartisan support, especially solar (79% favorable) and wind (74%) which win majority favorability from Republicans (+62 and +47), Independents (+73 and +51) and Democrats (+89 and +84) alike.
“With rising energy costs, it is no wonder Americans are optimistic about renewable energy alternatives,” said Mary Collins Howell, Vice President of Communications at CRES Forum. “Further, the increasing support for solar, wind and natural gas, shows that Americans are looking for alternatives to help increase our energy supply. It’s imperative that elected officials heed the call and work to expand access to cleaner, advanced energy technologies.”
“It is obvious that most Americans think that expanding renewable energy is the right direction for the country,” said Alex Lundry, Co-Founder of Redbud Consulting. “With 71% of voters labeling increasing renewable energy as ‘the right direction,’ and 58% of voters saying they are more likely to support a federal candidate that strongly supports renewables, it’s clear that renewable energy is an electoral winner.”
Topline numbers include:
- Voters express clear preferences for renewables across many questions:
- 71% say making renewable energy a bigger part of the country’s energy supply is the right direction for the country, including 68% of Republicans
- Only 14% believe it to be the wrong direction
- A clear 58% majority are more likely to support a federal candidate that strongly supports renewables
- Solar and wind are the most favored energy sources of all the ones tested at 79% and 74% favor, respectively
- This includes strong support among Republicans, with 70% favoring solar power and 64% favoring wind power
- Natural gas is close behind at 71% favorable
- 41% believe that America should build more wind and solar and use less oil, natural gas and coal, while 42% say we should use all energy options
- Only 16% want more oil, natural gas and coal, along with less wind
- 71% say making renewable energy a bigger part of the country’s energy supply is the right direction for the country, including 68% of Republicans
- Nearly everyone is facing higher energy bills:
- 70% say they have gone up in the past year
- 32% say they have gone up “a lot” in the past year
- Only 4% say they have gone down in the past year
- Permitting Reform:
- Asked a straightforward question about whether it should be easier or harder to permit, site and build energy projects:
- 40% plurality said easier
- 24% said harder
- 35% said about the same
- Asked a straightforward question about whether it should be easier or harder to permit, site and build energy projects:
- Broad skepticism surrounds data centers:
- Looking specifically at data centers, 40% would support the construction of one in their local area, while 60% oppose it
- These numbers remain unchanged among those specifically told these would be for AI
- A hefty 62% of voters believe that a public vote of local residents should have the most say in whether a large data center is built in their community
- Only 36% place a great deal or fair amount of trust in tech companies’ pledges that they will not raise electricity bills
- Looking specifically at data centers, 40% would support the construction of one in their local area, while 60% oppose it
- Worry about AI has risen meaningfully over the last three months:
- While the number of people hopeful about how AI could improve their own daily life has remained steady at 62%
- Those worried about how AI could be misused or cause harm has grown 8 percentage points since June, rising to 84% who are a great deal or somewhat concerned
Please see the memo and infographic here.
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