When voters were asked about new investments in renewable energy, fully 75% of voters indicated these new investments were very or somewhat important to them, with more than half (52% indicating it was very important). This compares to only 22% who felt these investments were not important.
This is a topic Illinoisans clearly care about, and are also unhappy with the status quo. When voters were asked whether the amount of investment taking place in clean energy in the Midwest was sufficient, over half of voters (53%) indicated there was not enough investment taking place.
The survey also found that there was wide support for moving forward with new EPA limits on carbon pollution through the Clean Power Plan, and for the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill.
Key findings from the survey include:
- 67% of voters in the state generally support the new EPA limits on carbon pollution from power plants, compared to only 31% who oppose them. That includes support from 85% of Democrats, 67% of independents, and even 42% of Republicans.
- When it comes specifically to the Illinois Clean Jobs bill, the legislation Illinois businesses have collaborated on with organizations like Evergreen Climate Innovations in order to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, the numbers are pretty much identical: 67% of voters support the Illinois Clean Jobs bill and only 31% oppose it. The strong support for the Clean Jobs bill reflects the strong desire of voters in the state to expand policies which will drive investment in clean energy, create jobs, and help the state move forward with the Clean Power Plan.
- The politics on the Clean Power Plan are clear- it’s very popular, particularly with pivotal independent voters. 75% of voters overall think it’s important to make new investments in renewable energy sources, reflecting the feeling among a majority of voters that the amount of investment taking place in clean energy in the Midwest right now is too little. There is a clear mandate for the Clean Jobs bill, and Illinois voters want to see it move forward.
Public Policy Polling surveyed 613 Illinois voters on August 6th and 7th on behalf of Evergreen Climate Innovations. The survey’s margin of error is +/-4.0%.