Report concludes nation is not divided when it comes to renewable energy
April 7, 2015 | By
Barbara Vergetis Lundin
According to a new national poll of U.S. homeowners, Americans overwhelmingly support extended renewable energy incentives and a majority rank solar as the most important future energy source -- across a range of demographics and political affiliations.
The poll, commissioned by Clean Edge and SolarCity and conducted by Zogby Analytics, reveals that 74 percent of Americans favor continuing federal tax incentives that support the growth of the solar and wind industries, including 82 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Republicans, and 72 percent of Independents. Nearly nine in ten Americans (87 percent) say renewable energy is important to the country's future with 50 percent of those polled (including Republicans, Democrats, Independents, conservatives, liberals, city and rural dwellers, youth, and the elderly) choosing solar as the most important source while 42 percent chose wind, followed by natural gas (33 percent) and energy efficiency (25 percent). Lower in the rankings were nuclear power (14 percent) and coal (8 percent). "There's a misconception that the nation is divided on its attitudes toward clean energy, but our research shows this to be false," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge managing director and lead author on the report. "There is broad support for renewables across the political spectrum. Opposition to solar fees charged by utilities, for example, is higher among Republicans (66 percent) than Democrats (53 percent)." Interestingly, survey respondents report that they care about the environment, but cost savings truly motivate them. In fact, "saving money" tops the list as the primary motivator influencing homeowners' decisions to purchase clean-energy products and services by 82 percent of respondents. In light of those results, it is not surprising that when it comes to investments, sustainability is secondary to returns. Three quarters (74 percent) said that investments in renewables would be more compelling if they offered a "potentially higher return than other options." More than 60 percent said that such investments would be compelling if they offered "equal or higher return than other options." When such investments offer a "slightly lower return than other options," support drops to 22 percent. Approximately a quarter of respondents claim that, over the next year, they plan to purchase clean-energy technology -- including LED light bulbs, followed by smart thermostats, Energy Star-rated hot water heaters, double- or triple-pane windows, and hybrid cars. For more: © 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex, LLC. All rights reserved. |