Maryland's Low Ratings Result of Pro-Environmental Legislature
CCNC Press Release: NC Supports Alternative Energy
CCNC Press Release: NC Supports Alternative Energy
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Nelson, Conservation Council of NC, 919-839-0020
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 23, 2007) A poll of North Carolinians likely to vote in upcoming elections shows overwhelming support for the expansion of the use of alternative energy and opposition to paying for the construction of new nuclear plants. Commissioned by the Conservation Council of North Carolina, the telephone survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling on July 18th and asked a series of questions about how government and the utility companies should address future energy needs.
A large majority of North Carolinians, 62%, believe that global warming is a serious threat and that government should take immediate steps to address it. When asked if the North Carolina government should act now to reduce the amount of pollutants that may contribute to climate change, 76% of likely voters supported intervention. The poll showed overwhelming support for the expansion of alternative fuel sources, with 89% of respondents supporting more use of solar energy and 88% supporting the expansion of wind energy. 63 % opposed the expanded use of coal for energy in the future and 61% supported more nuclear energy use.
However on the question of nuclear energy, the results were less positive as respondents were given additional choices about that technology. When asked if they would be willing to pay higher utility rates to support the construction of new nuclear plants, the majority of respondents answered no, they would not support new construction. The majority, 72%, also believed that consumers should not start paying for the construction of new power plants before they become operational – a funding scheme known as Construction Work In Progress (CWIP).
The majority of those polled, 77% support higher utility rates if the revenue generated supported the use of renewable energy sources versus nuclear power plants. And 79% of respondents believe that power companies should be required to invest more in energy efficient practices.
The results of the poll are important as North Carolina legislators debate an energy bill that has drawn criticism from environmental and consumer groups.
The legislation under consideration, Senate Bill 3, would require utility companies to provide 12.5% of their power in the future from alternative sources. However the bill shifted from an alternative energy bill, known as the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) to a broader energy bill that would give utilities the ability to charge customers higher utility rates to pay for ongoing construction of new nuclear and coal plants. It also offers millions of dollars in tax breaks to industrial customers. Critics also point to a provision in the bill that would allow hog farmers to sell methane gas emitted from hog waste stored in lagoons – a disposal approach that has been responsible for the contamination of fresh water and ground water in Eastern North Carolina.
“The poll shows what we’ve long suspected” said Nina Szlosberg President of the Conservation Council of NC. “Most people want us to do something about global warming now and they want us to do it through clean, renewable technologies.”
“We hope this poll helps lawmakers understand that they are heading in the wrong direction in the energy debate. If they listen to the people they represent, they will go back to the drawing board and produce an energy bill that promotes alternative energy without giving away “the farm” to the utilities.”
The Conservation Council of North Carolina is one of a number of conservation and environmental advocacy groups opposing the proposed energy bill in its present form, while strongly supporting the provisions to expand the use of renewable energy in the future.
The Conservation Council of North Carolina is a statewide non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to preserving our state’s natural resources and protecting public health. The Conservation Council supports a full time lobbyist at the state legislature to help shape and pass environmentally strong legislation, and works to hold our legislators accountable for their decisions on the environment.
For information about poll methodology contact Justin Guillory, Public Policy Polling 888-621-6988 or justing@publicpolicypolling.com
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Nelson, Conservation Council of NC, 919-839-0020
Poll Shows Overwhelming Support among North Carolina Voters for Expansion of Alternative Energy -
Most Oppose Paying for New Nuclear Plants
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 23, 2007) A poll of North Carolinians likely to vote in upcoming elections shows overwhelming support for the expansion of the use of alternative energy and opposition to paying for the construction of new nuclear plants. Commissioned by the Conservation Council of North Carolina, the telephone survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling on July 18th and asked a series of questions about how government and the utility companies should address future energy needs.
A large majority of North Carolinians, 62%, believe that global warming is a serious threat and that government should take immediate steps to address it. When asked if the North Carolina government should act now to reduce the amount of pollutants that may contribute to climate change, 76% of likely voters supported intervention. The poll showed overwhelming support for the expansion of alternative fuel sources, with 89% of respondents supporting more use of solar energy and 88% supporting the expansion of wind energy. 63 % opposed the expanded use of coal for energy in the future and 61% supported more nuclear energy use.
However on the question of nuclear energy, the results were less positive as respondents were given additional choices about that technology. When asked if they would be willing to pay higher utility rates to support the construction of new nuclear plants, the majority of respondents answered no, they would not support new construction. The majority, 72%, also believed that consumers should not start paying for the construction of new power plants before they become operational – a funding scheme known as Construction Work In Progress (CWIP).
The majority of those polled, 77% support higher utility rates if the revenue generated supported the use of renewable energy sources versus nuclear power plants. And 79% of respondents believe that power companies should be required to invest more in energy efficient practices.
The results of the poll are important as North Carolina legislators debate an energy bill that has drawn criticism from environmental and consumer groups.
The legislation under consideration, Senate Bill 3, would require utility companies to provide 12.5% of their power in the future from alternative sources. However the bill shifted from an alternative energy bill, known as the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) to a broader energy bill that would give utilities the ability to charge customers higher utility rates to pay for ongoing construction of new nuclear and coal plants. It also offers millions of dollars in tax breaks to industrial customers. Critics also point to a provision in the bill that would allow hog farmers to sell methane gas emitted from hog waste stored in lagoons – a disposal approach that has been responsible for the contamination of fresh water and ground water in Eastern North Carolina.
“The poll shows what we’ve long suspected” said Nina Szlosberg President of the Conservation Council of NC. “Most people want us to do something about global warming now and they want us to do it through clean, renewable technologies.”
“We hope this poll helps lawmakers understand that they are heading in the wrong direction in the energy debate. If they listen to the people they represent, they will go back to the drawing board and produce an energy bill that promotes alternative energy without giving away “the farm” to the utilities.”
The Conservation Council of North Carolina is one of a number of conservation and environmental advocacy groups opposing the proposed energy bill in its present form, while strongly supporting the provisions to expand the use of renewable energy in the future.
The Conservation Council of North Carolina is a statewide non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to preserving our state’s natural resources and protecting public health. The Conservation Council supports a full time lobbyist at the state legislature to help shape and pass environmentally strong legislation, and works to hold our legislators accountable for their decisions on the environment.
For information about poll methodology contact Justin Guillory, Public Policy Polling 888-621-6988 or justing@publicpolicypolling.com
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