The Barr Foundation’s Climate Program released the findings of a new poll of voters from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut assessing their sentiments about clean energy, fossil fuels, and regional collaboration to build more clean energy supply for the region.
The poll, which was fielded between June 7-16 by Hart Research, surveyed over 1,200 registered voters across the three states, and found that an overwhelming majority support the transition to clean, renewable energy sources—such as wind, solar, and hydropower—and believe they are essential for lowering energy prices, creating jobs and economic growth, and combating climate change. The poll also showed that voters in each state share strong support for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut to collaborate on developing and scaling offshore wind developments along the coast—a notable finding as the three states recently launched a historic tri-state offshore wind procurement which could bring as much as 6,000 MW of offshore wind power to the region.
“The clean energy transition is at a vital crossroads in New England as we work to ensure that our policy and action keeps up with our ambition,” said Kathryn Wright, Clean Energy Senior Program Officer for the Barr Foundation. “This poll makes clear that voters strongly support clean energy powering their communities, and are excited at the prospect of New England states working together to make it a reality.”
Key findings include:
- Significant majorities across the states support their respective states’ transition away from natural gas towards generating heating and electricity from entirely renewable energy sources.
- 75% of Massachusetts voters favor a move towards renewable energy
- 68% of Connecticut voters favor a move towards renewable energy
- 67% of Rhode Island voters favor a move towards renewable energy
- Across all three states, voters strongly support the adoption of more solar power, hydropower, and wind to generate electricity.
- In Massachusetts, 88% of voters support solar power, 80% support hydropower, and 82% support wind power.
- In Connecticut, 81% of voters support solar power, 75% support hydropower, and 76% support wind power.
- In Rhode Island, 78% of voters support solar power, 74% support hydropower, and 70% support wind power.
- Voters believe that embracing offshore wind will positively impact energy prices, energy independence, job creation and local economies, and the fight against climate change.
- In Massachusetts, 75% of voters believe offshore wind will positively impact energy independence, 69% believe it will positively impact jobs and the state economy, 71% believe it will positively impact climate change, and 64% believe it will positively impact energy prices.
- In Connecticut, 72% of voters believe offshore wind will positively impact energy independence, 65% believe it will positively impact jobs and the state economy, 63% believe it will positively impact climate change, and 56% believe it will positively impact energy prices.
- In Rhode Island, 64% of voters believe offshore wind will positively impact energy independence, 66% believe it will positively impact jobs and the state economy, 57% believe it will positively impact climate change, and 53% believe it will positively impact energy prices.
- Voters express broad and deep support, both in coastal and non-coastal communities, for the collaboration amongst Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to work together to build offshore wind to generate electricity.
- 77% of Massachusetts voters support the three states working together to build offshore wind
- 75% of Connecticut voters support the three states working together to build offshore wind
- 67% of Rhode Island voters support the three states working together to build offshore wind
The full results of the polling are available here.
About the Barr Foundation
The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. In partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders, Barr works to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to discover and actualize their unbounded potential. For more information, visit www.barrfoundation.org and @BarrFdn on LinkedIn.
