Red States Use 55% More Energy, Produce 80% More Carbon EmissionsSustainableBusiness.com News
Whenever we see
polls on how Americans view renewable energy, the results are
always the same. A vast majority want an emphasis on renewables, but
Democrats want them a lot more than Republicans. Why? Because Red states tend to have weak energy
efficiency policies. And deep disparities in energy use and CO2
emissions at the state-level pose intrinsic obstacles to cohesive
climate policy nationally, CO2 Scorecard concludes.
Why do Red states have weaker energy efficiency policies? Because
fossil fuel industries have much more power in Republican-leaning
states. This doesn't bode well for prospects of national
climate legislation or renewable energy legislation, such as a
national Renewable Portfolio Standard. The only hope for turning the
tide is the same grassroots uprising that has forced the Republican
Party to consider immigration reform and stop standing in the way of
gay marriage, the authors say. But the top choice for Democrats' and independents' is solar,
while natural gas is first for Republicans. And they disagree on
where oil should be in terms of priorities - 71% of Republicans want
more emphasis on it compared to 29% of Democrats. Website: www.co2scorecard.org/home/researchitem/26 © 2013 Sustainable Business.com. All Rights Reserved. http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24721 |