Michigan Voters Support the Inflation Reduction Act and Bold Actions to Address Climate Change
By Danielle Deiseroth
With the successful passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have taken a long-overdue step to tackle the climate crisis. The bill will invest a landmark $369 billion in ramping up domestic clean energy production (including wind and solar power), increasing America’s energy security, and reducing harmful pollution in communities that are on the frontlines of climate change.
New Data for Progress polling in Michigan finds that nearly two-thirds of Michigan voters support the Inflation Reduction Act and an even larger majority want Governor Gretchen Whitmer to ensure that Michiganders will benefit from these federal climate and clean energy funds. Voters in the Wolverine State also express significant concern about climate change and overwhelmingly support efforts to increase clean energy production.
The Inflation Reduction Act enjoys a +37-point margin among Michigan voters. This includes a majority of Democrats (87 percent) and nearly two-thirds of Independents (65 percent). Even 42 percent of Republicans in the state back the bill.
Moreover, 71 percent of Michigan voters — including majorities of Democrats (91 percent), Independents (72 percent), and Republicans (52 percent) — want Whitmer to fight for federal climate and clean energy funds that can be used for projects in Michigan.
The Inflation Reduction Act will make significant investments to address climate change, an issue that 66 percent of Michigan voters say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about. Notably, a majority of Michigan Democrats (61 percent) say they are “very” concerned about climate change.
As Michigan moves toward its goal of generating more renewable energy over the next several decades, voters across party lines agree the state should produce more clean energy. Two-thirds (66 percent) of Michigan voters would like to see the state produce more energy from clean energy sources, including strong majorities of Democrats (83 percent) and Independents (66 percent). Even half of Republicans (50 percent) think the state should produce more clean energy.
Finally, following the Supreme Court ruling to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate pollution, a majority (61 percent) of Michigan voters believe that state leaders should do more to address air pollution. This includes strong majorities of Democrats (83 percent) and Independents (54 percent), as well as a plurality (44 percent) of Republicans.
It is clear that Michigan voters widely support efforts both nationwide and within the state to address climate change and increase clean energy production. A wide majority across the political spectrum support the Inflation Reduction Act and want Gov. Whitmer to advocate for these much-needed federal funds to jump-start clean energy projects in Michigan. Furthermore, Michigan voters want to see their state leaders take more action to increase clean energy production and reduce air pollution. State leaders should take notice of the importance of these issues among voters and act to ensure that Michigan builds a thriving and equitable clean economy.
Danielle Deiseroth (@danielledeis) is the Lead Climate Strategist at Data for Progress.