a renewable america oh - wind solar alliance...echelon insights a renewable america statewide public...
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ECHELON INSIGHTS
A RENEWABLE AMERICA Statewide Public Opinion Research Studies
N = 600 RV in OH (plus district oversample)
Conducted November 18-23, 2015
ECHELON INSIGHTS
THE HEADLINE:
RENEWABLE ENERGY HAS BROAD AND DEEP SUPPORT AMONG VOTERS OF ALL POLITICAL
PERSUASIONS.
CONTINUING TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRODUCTION AND INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLES IS SOMETHING
VOTERS OF ALL PARTIES CAN GET BEHIND.
ECHELON INSIGHTS
FAVORABILITY TOWARD RENEWABLES CUTS ACROSS PARTY LINES
Would you say you have an overall favorable or unfavorable impression of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?
0102030405060708090
100
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) CD OH-12
2099
2113
687981
6775
Favorable Unfavorable
ECHELON INSIGHTS
VOTERS WANT TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLES
Would you say you agree or disagree with the following statement: “We should accelerate the growth of renewable energy so American innovation can create economic growth and jobs at home…"
0102030405060708090
100
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) CD OH-12
203111610
73
9387
8187
Agree Disagree
ECHELON INSIGHTS
MAJORITIES BELIEVE JOBS WOULD BE CREATED IN OHIO IF THERE WAS AN
INCREASE IN RENEWABLESDo you believe that jobs would be created in Ohio if there was an increase in renewable energy sources, or not really?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
OVERALL (OH) OH-12
3929
5161
Yes, jobs would be created No, not really
ECHELON INSIGHTS
WE DESCRIBED THE ISSUE IN THIS WAY:
“Currently, the federal government offers tax credits for producing and investing in renewable energy, in order to help increase their development and affordability. Congress is currently debating whether or not to keep the tax incentives in place.
In general, would you support or oppose continuing to provide tax incentives for renewable energy?”
ECHELON INSIGHTS
OHIO VOTERS SUPPORT CONTINUING TAX INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE
ENERGYIn general, would you support or oppose continuing to provide tax incentives for renewable energy?
0102030405060708090
100
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) CD OH-12
28
1220
3121
64
8477
6375
Support Oppose
ECHELON INSIGHTS
WE THEN PRESENTED A CONTRAST:
“Some people say that we should continue providing tax incentives that help make renewable energy like wind and solar cheaper and encourage investment in developing renewable energy sources.
Other people say that we have other affordable energy sources like natural gas and coal, so we should not provide tax incentives for renewable energy.
Which do you agree with more?”
ECHELON INSIGHTS
NEARLY SIX OUT OF TEN OHIO REPUBLICANS CHOOSE CONTINUING
THE TAX INCENTIVESWhich of the following do you agree with more?
0102030405060708090
100
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) OH-12
33
1418
3422
59
7776
5870
We should continue providing tax incentives...We should stop providing tax incentives...
ECHELON INSIGHTS
WE ALSO WANTED TO GAUGE REACTION TO A SPECIFIC COUNTER-
ARGUMENT:
“WE SHOULDN’T GIVE SPECIAL TREATMENT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.”
ECHELON INSIGHTS
MOST IN OHIO DISAGREE WITH THE OPPOSITION ARGUMENT;
REPUBLICANS ARE DIVIDED.Agree or disagree? “We shouldn’t give special treatment to renewable energy.”
0102030405060708090
100
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) OH-12
57
7062
4960
3322
31
4433
Agree Disagree
ECHELON INSIGHTS
WE WANTED TO GAUGE HOW A LEADER’S SUPPORT FOR CONTINUING RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES
WOULD BE RECEIVED…
ECHELON INSIGHTS
A PLURALITY OF OHIO VOTERS SAY SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLES MAKES THEM MORE FAVORABLE;
FEWER THAN ONE OUT OF FIVE REPUBLICANS REACT UNFAVORABLY
If a leader in your state supported continuing tax credits for renewable energy producers, would you be more or less favorable toward them or would it not matter?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) OH-12
17810
1913
38363948
41 44
5648
30
44
More favorable It would not matter Less favorable
ECHELON INSIGHTS
EVEN AMONG THE 32% OF OHIO VOTERS WHO DON’T THINK RENEWABLE
ENERGY SHOULD GET “SPECIAL TREATMENT…”
ONLY THREE OUT OF TEN SAY THEY’D BE LESS FAVORABLE TO A LEADER WHO
SUPPORTS CONTINUING INCENTIVES.
ECHELON INSIGHTS
WHAT IS THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY?
ECHELON INSIGHTS
AGREE OR DISAGREE? (OHIO OVERALL)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
33% somewhat agree
35% somewhat agree
33% somewhat agree
25% somewhat agree
34% strongly agree
41% strongly agree
46% strongly agree
61% strongly agree
We should have a stable and predictable tax policy, because it makes it easier for the renewable energy industry to plan its investments and continue driving down costs.
If we do not continue current tax incentives for renewable energy, the industry will lose significant momentum that has created jobs and important infrastructure.
We should continue to encourage renewable energy development so that the United States can move toward energy independence.
Renewable energy is beneficial to the United States economy and our environment, and encouraging private investment in this industry should be a priority.
ECHELON INSIGHTS
% AGREE OVERALL (OH) REP (OH) IND (OH) DEM (OH) OH-12
We should continue to encourage renewable energy development so that the United States can
move toward energy independence.85% 81% 85% 91% 75%
Renewable energy is beneficial to the United States economy and our environment, and encouraging private investment in this industry should be a
priority.
79% 68% 82% 89% 65%
We should have a stable and predictable tax policy, because it makes it easier for the renewable energy
industry to plan its investments and continue driving down costs.
76% 74% 75% 81% 70%
If we do not continue current tax incentives for renewable energy, the industry will lose significant
momentum that has created jobs and important infrastructure.
67% 54% 70% 77% 59%
ECHELON INSIGHTS
THE BOTTOM LINE:
SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLES — AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION — IS BROAD AND STRONG.
ECHELON INSIGHTS
THE BOTTOM LINE:
VOTERS OF ALL PARTIES BELIEVE WE SHOULD CONTINUE
INCENTIVES, EVEN IN THE FACE OF COUNTER-ARGUMENTS
ECHELON INSIGHTS
THE BOTTOM LINE:
THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY FOCUSES ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.
ECHELON INSIGHTS
A RENEWABLE AMERICA Statewide Public Opinion Research Studies
N = 600 RV in OH (plus district oversample)
Conducted November 18-23, 2015