Survey on EPA Carbon Regulations in 9 Key 2014 Senate Battleground States

Transcription

1 Survey on EPA Carbon Regulations in 9 Key 2014 Senate Battleground States 1,206 Likely 2016 Voters Across the 9 States of AR, AK, CO, IA, LA, MI, NH, NC and VA Survey was conducted by telephone, including cell phones, using live interviewers Margin of error Likely 2016 Voters: ±2.8% 2014 Voters: ±3.3%

2 Two-thirds of voters favor an EPA plan to address climate change that aims to reduce the amount of industrial carbon pollution released by power plants The plan I just mentioned aims to address climate change by cutting the amount of industrial carbon pollution emitted from power plants. Under the Environmental Protection Agency, this plan would set the first-ever standards for power plants to limit the amount of carbon pollution they can emit. Is this something you would strongly favor, mildly favor, mildly oppose, or strongly oppose? 2016 Voters Red States (AK, AR, LA, NC) Blue States (CO, IA, MI, NH, VA) Southern States Northern States Democrats Independents Republicans Men Women Favor EPA Carbon Standards 67% 66% 68% 67% 68% 53% 63% 71% 87% Oppose 43% 28% 29% 27% 28% 27% 27% 35% 22% 10% 2014 Voters (Feb) % % Favor Oppose

3 Groups of voters who will be important in determining the outcome of the 2016 elections are also highly supportive of the new carbon standards The plan I just mentioned aims to address climate change by cutting the amount of industrial carbon pollution emitted from power plants. Under the Environmental Protection Agency, this plan would set the first-ever standards for power plants to limit the amount of carbon pollution they can emit. Is this something you would strongly favor, mildly favor, mildly oppose, or strongly oppose? Favor EPA Carbon Standards Oppose 2016 Voters Democratic Primary Voters Voters Less Likely to Turnout Age Latino / African-Americans Independent Women Republican Women 67% 85% 71% 71% 70% 59% 28% 11% 20% 25% 27% 23% 35% 3

4 2016 voters reject opponents arguments against the EPA carbon regulations Now, let me read you what opponents and supporters say about the new E.P.A. regulations to limit carbon dioxide emissions from older coal-fired power plants. Supporters say that big polluters have a stranglehold on Washington, using their power and influence to avoid responsibility for cleaning up pollution. Because of this, they are allowed to dump as much carbon pollution into the air as they want. They say it is time to hold these big polluters and D.C. accountable because we can no longer ignore the consequences of carbon pollution like more childhood asthma attacks and disruption of our climate. Trust Supporters More 60% Supporters, strongly 42% Opponents, strongly 19% 22% Supporters, not strongly Trust Opponents More 33% Opponents, not strongly 11% Opponents say that Obama and Democrats big government E.P.A. regulations are going to drive up the cost of electricity for families by hundreds of dollars each year. They say that higher energy prices will hurt businesses and kill jobs. And they say it doesn t matter what we do because big polluters like China and India won t limit pollution and so we ll only be putting ourselves at an economic disadvantage. 4

5 A large majority of voters want their Senators to address the impacts of climate change Now that the election for U.S. Senate is over here in [STATE], do you want Senator-elect [NAME] to work to support or oppose efforts to the address impacts of climate change on local communities? Want their Senator to address climate change Oppose All 2016 Voters Red states (AK, AR, LA, NC) Blue states (CO, IA, MI, NH, VA) Southern States Northern States Democrats Independents Republicans Men Women 63% 64% 64% 86% 43% 59% 67% 25% 24% 26% 25% 25% 8% 19% 44% 31% 20% 5

6 Clear majorities of voters continue to see climate change as a serious problem far more than dismiss it as a problem How serious do you think the problem of climate change is extremely serious, very serious, fairly serious, just somewhat serious, or not serious at all? 2014 Voters (from Feb 2014) 2016 Voters Not At All 26% 18% Just Somewhat Extremely 11% 17% Fairly Very 26% 54% Not At All 23% Just Somewhat 23% Extremely 11% 20% Fairly Very 53% 22% 6

7 A 2-to-1 majority of 2016 voters prefer investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy over coal, oil, and gas I m going to read you two statements. Please tell me which one comes closer to your own point of view Voters As a state we should be investing more in traditional domestic energy sources like coal, oil and gas Unsure 7% 31% 61% As a state, we should be investing more in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources like wind and solar 7

8 Survey on EPA Carbon Regulations in 9 Key 2014 Senate Battleground States 1,206 Likely 2016 Voters Across the 9 States of AR, AK, CO, IA, LA, MI, NH, NC and VA