US voters strongly favor offshore wind energy

New poll shows support among both political parties for offshore wind

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a national trade
association for the U.S. wind industry, announced the results of a new nation poll
showing that over 80% of the nation’s voters favor offshore wind energy. Both
political parties and every demographic group across the U.S. support offshore
wind, according to the survey.

The national survey was conducted by Public Opinion
Strategies March 16-19, 2020 and released last week by AWEA.

Voters across the board appreciate the benefits wind energy
delivers, with Republicans overwhelmingly viewing wind as a clean, renewable,
affordable power source that also reduces carbon emissions (88%) and keeps
utility costs stable, while providing critical power to America’s densely
populated areas (80%).

AWEA said that both Democrats and Republicans prefer
wind to the increased use of coal, nuclear or natural gas. Voters
currently believe both oil and natural gas and wind energy play an important
role in today’s economy (93% and 86%, respectively), with more than half of
Republican voters saying the United States should put more emphasis on
producing domestic energy from both wind and solar (58% and 66%) than other
forms of energy. A majority of voters think the wind energy industry will be
more important to the country’s economy than oil and natural gas ten years from
now (57% to 43%). And 85% of voters agree wind energy is a clean, renewable,
and affordable power source of the future, including 80% of Republicans.

The offshore wind industry possesses a power potential of more
than 2,000 GW, nearly double the nation’s current electricity use. AWEA
estimates that the industry will support 83,000 jobs by 2030 and that it will
drive $25 billion dollars per year in new economic activity by 2030.

Support for offshore wind is favored across the country, not just
in coastal states. With 90% of those in the South and 89% of those in the
Midwest viewing it the most favorably. There are also no generational divisions
on the issue.

Additionally, those who identify as conservative, moderate or
liberal all are in high percent ages for their overall approval rating of
offshore wind.

Republicans strongly believe that offshore wind:

• Will protect the environment, since it doesn’t pollute the air and water, and greenhouse gases are not emitted when its used.
• Provide long-term, low-cost, stabilized utility rates for consumers.
• Aim to be a $70 billion opportunity that could create up to 80,000 jobs by 2030.

Support is strong for Independents as
well; 70% say the U.S. needs to put more emphasis on wind energy and 82% of
Independents favor offshore wind energy specifically. Support for offshore
jumps after voters learn more about the industry.

“The strong
bipartisan support for offshore wind among voters is very encouraging,” said
AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan. “Consumers clearly see that offshore wind provides significant
environmental benefits and will serve as a real economic game-changer in the
coming years, helping the nation recover and adding family-supporting jobs
where they’re needed most at the local level following the coronavirus
pandemic.”