It’s no news that renewable energy polls high. Poll after poll shows that when asked, people support renewable energy, and support policies that increase their use.
But how much? The bi-partisan polling team of Lori Weigel (Public Opinions Strategies) and David Metz (FM3) asked voters in five western states an open-ended question:
“If it were up to you, what % of (STATE)’S electricity needs would come from renewable sources like wind and solar power?”
The answer? 65.1 % was the mean.
Study is here (pdf), see question 41, page 35.
People want renewables, and not just a little. A lot.
Increasing dependence on fossil fuel, primarily for buildings and transportation, threatens the world’s long-term energy security and environmental sustainability. In fact, the buildings and transportation sectors use approximately 70% of the United States’ energy use. Changing the way we design new communities using a renewable energy regional systems approach—with sustainable planning, net zero-energy homes, advanced vehicles, and innovative utility interconnections—could significantly decrease energy use, as well as its associated emissions and climate change impacts in the Southeast, United States and worldwide.
A little rationality lifts the quality of the debate here. Thanks for cortnibtuing!