Voters Support Investments for a Reliable Clean Energy Economy
By Danielle Deiseroth, Senior Climate Data Analyst, Data for Progress
Key Findings
Over eighty percent of voters have heard about the ongoing global energy crisis
Nearly all voters (87 percent) are concerned about energy prices increasing over the winter months
A majority of voters support the Build Back Better Act’s key clean energy proposals, including investments to cut costs by improving energy efficiency, incentivizing clean energy production, and making electric vehicles more affordable
Roughly two-thirds of voters (64 percent) think that the U.S. should invest in cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy sources rather than ramp up fossil fuel production and continue relying on foreign energy exports
Introduction
After months of negotiations, lawmakers in Congress have passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and are finalizing negotiations over the Build Back Better plan. While the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes historic investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, transportation systems, and other physical infrastructure, the Build Back Better plan includes $550 billion to accelerate America’s transition to clean energy. According to a new analysis from the Rocky Mountain Institute, these investments will save utility companies and customers roughly $9 billion a year. These investments to jumpstart our clean energy economy could not come at a more critical time, as the costs of oil and gas have soared around the world.
In a series of surveys conducted in October and November 2021, Data for Progress and Climate Power sought to assess voters’ perceptions of current energy prices and support for government investments in clean energy. We find that despite overwhelming concerns about increasing energy prices, voters widely agree that lawmakers should make ambitious investments to accelerate our transition to clean energy.
Energy Prices Are Top-Of-Mind for a Majority of Voters
As energy prices continue to climb, voters are acutely aware of the developing global energy crisis. Over three-quarters of voters (77 percent) say they have heard something about increasing energy prices and energy shortages around the world. While Republicans indicate that they have heard the most about the energy crisis, an overwhelming majority of Democrats and Independents also say they have heard about this issue.
The rising cost of energy is a principal concern among voters across party lines. Nearly all voters (87 percent), including 85 percent of Democrats, 82 percent of Independents, and 93 percent of Republicans say they are “Very” or “Somewhat” concerned about energy prices increasing over the next several months.
Voters Think Investing in Clean Energy Now Is a Solution to Prevent Future Energy and Climate Crises
Given that volatile global fossil fuel markets are worsening the current energy crisis, voters are overwhelmingly supportive of the Build Back Better Act’s plans to accelerate America’s transition to clean energy. Among the policies that voters most want lawmakers to pass are investments to improve energy efficiency and lower energy prices in homes, buildings, and schools. A majority of voters also think it is important for lawmakers to pass tax incentives for new clean energy projects and rebates to make electric vehicles and household appliances more affordable. Roughly two-thirds of voters (65 percent) also think it is important that lawmakers pass policies to phase out government subsidies and financial incentives for fossil fuel production.
With overwhelming support for the Build Back Better Act’s proposals to make clean energy cheaper and more accessible, voters agree by a +36-point margin that we should be investing in domestic clean energy production rather than continuing our reliance on fossil fuels. Over three-quarters of Democrats (78 percent), a majority of Independents (63 percent), and a plurality of Republicans (49 percent) all agree that we should invest in clean energy that is cheaper, more reliable, and able to be made in America.
Conclusion
With oil and gas prices rising, voters are concerned about how the growing fossil fuel crisis will impact their wallets. Voters overwhelmingly back the Build Back Better Act’s plans to ramp up clean energy production in America and think it is important for lawmakers to pass policies that will phase out the fossil fuels powering everything from our homes to our cars. Moreover, Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all agree that America shouldn’t rely on foreign energy exports and instead should focus on investments to produce cheap and reliable clean energy at home. As lawmakers finalize the details of the Build Back Better Act, they should feel confident passing these clean energy policies knowing that voters widely support investing in America’s clean energy future.
Survey Methodology
From November 5 to 8, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,209 likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points.
From October 20 to 24, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,135 likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points.