May 15th, 2009

Green Right Now Reports:

Americans are ready for action on clean energy jobs, energy independence and reducing carbon pollution, according to two Pew Environment Group-commissioned polls, one by the Mellman Group and another by Public Opinion Strategies.

The national survey of Americans contacted in late March by the Mellman Group, found that:

• 77% of voters favor action to reduce global warming emissions

• 50% of voters say they would view their Member of Congress more favorably if they support a comprehensive plan to create clean energy jobs and fight global warming, only 22% say they would view their Member of Congress less favorably.

• 44% of voters prefer proceeds from a polluters fund be divided equally between funding research and development and being returned to taxpayers in a tax cut or energy tax credit, 26% want to fund R & D only, 19% want to fund tax cut/energy tax credit only. (The fund would be created under the bill as industrial polluters are compelled to pay for their emissions.)

“Public support for action on global warming is overwhelming. Voters clearly understand that reducing the carbon pollution that causes global warming will improve our economy by creating clean energy jobs and enhance our security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” concluded Mark Mellman, President of The Mellman Group, a Democratic polling firm, in a news release.

Research and surveying in early April by Public Opinion Strategies, a leading Republican polling group, also found support for global warming legislation among all Americans.

• 74% of Republicans, 70% Independents and 74% Democrats believe jobs that reduce our dependence on foreign oil are “very important” for helping the economy over the next five to ten years.

• 63% of Republicans, 70% of Independents and 73% of Democrats believe jobs that are improving energy efficiency are “very important” to helping the economy over the next five to ten years.

• 59% of voters believe efforts to tackle global warming will create new American jobs.

The polls were designed to tap public opinion across the political spectrum as Congress prepares to debate and vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act next week. The Act would set a variety of goals and incentives for the development of renewable energy and conservation measures.

Mellman based its findings on phone interviews with likely voters in late March; Public Strategies polled 800 registered voters by phone and contacted 1,200 adults online in early April. The Pew Environment Group is a conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-government organization oriented to improving public policy.