Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin finds that nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin voters support the Inflation Reduction Act and an even larger majority want Governor Tony Evers to ensure that Wisconsinites will benefit from these federal climate and clean energy funds. Voters in the Badger State also express significant concern about climate change and overwhelmingly support efforts to increase clean energy production.
The Inflation Reduction Act enjoys a +36-point margin of support among Wisconsin voters. This includes nearly all Democrats (91 percent) and over two-thirds of Independents (68 percent). Even 41 percent of Republicans in the Badger State back the bill.
Moreover, 72 percent of Wisconsin voters — including majorities of Democrats (92 percent), Independents (72 percent), and Republicans (56 percent) — want Evers to fight for federal climate and clean energy funds that can be used for projects in Wisconsin.
The Inflation Reduction Act will make significant investments to address climate change, an issue that 61 percent of Wisconsin voters say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about. Notably, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Wisconsin Democrats say they are “very” concerned about climate change.
As Wisconsin moves toward its goal of ensuring 100 percent of electricity consumed in the state comes from carbon-free energy sources, our polling finds strong bipartisan support for an increase in clean energy production, including wind and solar power. Sixty-five percent of Wisconsin voters would like to see the state produce more energy from clean energy sources, including 88 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and a 44 percent plurality of Republicans.
Following the Supreme Court ruling to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate pollution, over half (56 percent) of Wisconsin voters believe that state leaders should do more to address air pollution. This includes strong majorities of Democrats (84 percent) and Independents (60 percent), as well as nearly a third (30 percent) of Republicans.
Finally, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly prefer a candidate for governor who prioritizes climate action, reducing pollution, and expanding clean energy production in Wisconsin over a candidate who does not. Notably, a majority of Independents (63 percent) say they would prefer a governor who will be a climate and clean energy champion.
It is clear that Wisconsin 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. Evers to advocate for these much-needed federal funds to jump-start clean energy projects in Wisconsin. Furthermore, Wisconsin 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 Badger State voters and act to ensure that Wisconsin builds a thriving and equitable clean economy.
Danielle Deiseroth (@danielledeis) is the Lead Climate Strategist at Data for Progress.