DES MOINES, IOWA (February 3, 2021) — The Iowa Business for Clean Energy (Iowa BCE) released a new poll today that found Iowans overwhelmingly support clean energy development in Iowa and believe it helps drive down the cost of energy.
“This poll underscores what the business community is hearing — consumer expectations for clean energy continue to rise — and businesses need to be able access clean energy at affordable rates to meet those expectations,” said Delia Moon-Meier, Senior Vice President at the Iowa 80 Group. “In today’s global market, Iowa businesses need clean energy investments, either directly or through their utility, to ensure they are competitive.”
The poll, conducted by Nexus Polling, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, interviewed 660 Iowa voters. Key findings include:
- Nine in 10 (90%) Iowa voters have a favorable opinion of solar energy, and 86% have a favorable view of wind energy.
- 83% of Iowa voters support increased solar farm development in the state, along with 80% supporting the increase of wind farms in the state.
- By nearly a four-to-one margin, Iowa voters believe increases in solar energy production will decrease (48%) rather than increase (13%) the cost of their utility bills.
- Eight in 10 (80%) Iowa voters agree the primary goal of Iowa's energy policy should be achieving 100% clean energy.
- More than eight in 10 (84%) say wind and solar are reliable forms of energy, and more than three-quarters (78%) say developing renewable energy in their county is a good thing.
- At least three in four Iowa voters support the Iowa government providing tax credits for installing solar panels (82%), purchasing energy-efficient and clean appliances (81%), installing wind turbines (80%), businesses to develop and expand renewable energy (79%), expanding utility production of solar and wind (76%), and battery storage systems (75%).
- Nearly three-quarters (74%) support allowing businesses to generate renewable electricity on their property to sell to EV owners.
“Iowa voters want to farm solar and wind energy across the state, including in their own communities,” said Dr Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “They strongly support policies to make it easier for individuals and businesses to install solar panels and wind turbines and contribute to Iowa’s clean energy future.”
“Iowa voters understand the benefits of clean energy, because Iowa is already a leading producer of renewable energy,” said Dr Edward Maibach, Director of George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication. “From increased wages and lower electricity bills to a cleaner environment, Iowans are optimistic about the benefits that more clean energy development will bring.”
Nexus Polling, in partnership with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, conducted a representative survey of 660 registered voters in Iowa December 7-21, 2020. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4.1% at the 95% confidence level.
For an Executive Summary and topline poll results, visit www.iowacleanenergy.org.
Iowa BCE is a network of individuals in private businesses across the state, including energy users, energy producers, clean energy suppliers, and energy-efficiency professionals. The wealth of knowledge, experience, and diverse backgrounds ensure the network helps foster a robust discussion and learning opportunity to help lead a path to a clean, low cost energy future - ensuring Iowa’s businesses can compete with any company not just in the country - but also globally. For more information and to sign-up for updates, visit https://www.iowacleanenergy.org/.
