70 percent of voters believe increasing use of renewable energy will create jobs.
Renewable energy continues to receive strong public support in Oregon according to a new poll conducted by the Winston Group for on behalf of A Renewable America, a project of the Wind Energy Foundation. The poll finds 82 percent of the Oregon electorate supports renewable energy. The statewide poll, which includes an oversample of responses from Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, also found that Oregonians see renewables as a key part of expanding America’s energy portfolio while working towards energy independence and creating jobs in the state.
“What these polls show is that there is a bit of a disconnect between the current prices of renewable power and the average consumer’s perception,” said Paul Israel, owner, Sunlight Solar Energy in Bend. “We’ve seen the cost of wind power decrease 50 percent since 2008 and the cost of solar PV has fallen 80 percent since 2008 to 2012. Renewable electricity is cost competitive.”
Republicans and conservatives ranked expanding renewable energy ahead of finding and utilizing coal resources and utilizing nuclear power.
“Renewable energy is viewed very favorably across the political spectrum, including Oregon Republicans and Independents,” said David Winston, president of The Winston Group. “Across the board, 78 percent of voters said that government incentives to adopt more renewable energy will indeed create more jobs in the state.”
When asked to rank goals related to energy policy on a 9-point scale, where 1 stood for “not important at all,” 5 for “important,” and 9 for “most important,” respondents—across key groups, identified working towards energy independence as the most important issue overall.
The poll found that 80 percent of residents in the 2nd Congressional District had a favorable view of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Poll respondents said overwhelmingly that it is possible for the United States to produce most of its energy from renewable sources in the next few decades. The same survey also found that 77 percent Oregon residents see renewable energy is a key part of a strategy that will ultimately reduce costs to consumers and make our country energy independent.
“These new numbers demonstrate that residents in eastern Oregon understand the importance of renewable energy,” said Gilliam County Judge Steve Shaffer. “We’ve seen firsthand the jobs, revenues and economic benefits that come from renewables.”
In the 2nd Congressional District, voters overwhelmingly believe that it is possible for the United States to produce most of its energy from renewable sources in the next few decades (76 percent) and that it will have a positive impact on the economy by creating new jobs in state (64 percent). Surprisingly, only 42 percent of constituents in the 2nd Congressional District believe renewable energy is ready and available now at prices consumers can afford.
“What these polls show is that there is a bit of a disconnect between the current prices of renewable power and the average consumer’s perception,” said Paul Israel, owner, Sunlight Solar Energy. “We’ve seen the cost of wind power decrease 50 percent since 2008 and the cost of solar PV has fallen 80 percent since 2008 to 2012. Renewable electricity is cost competitive.”
The poll, sponsored by A Renewable America, a project of the Wind Energy Foundation, was conducted November 19 through 21 by the Winston Group. The poll surveyed 750 registered voters statewide with an oversample of 285 registered voters in the 2nd Congressional District.61 percent of respondents and 75 percent in-district respondents self identified as Republican or Independent.
The 2nd Congressional District includes Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler counties, and a portion of eastern Josephine County.
A Renewable America
A project of the Wind Energy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, A Renewable America provides education about the many benefits of American-made renewable electricity. A Renewable Americaraises public awareness of how each of the six major US renewable electric technologies – biomass, geothermal, hydro, solar, waste-to-energy, and wind power – are already providing a substantial amount of clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. For more information, visit www.arenewableamerica.org and follow #ARenewableAmerica on Twitter.
Contact: Noah Ginsberg
732-492-5718
ginsberg@tigercomm.us
