Pre-Convention Poll Finds That GOP Voters Value Advanced Energy

On the eve of America’s GOP national convention, to be held in Tampa, Florida, August 27–30, a new survey of likely voters in key battleground states and nationwide has found that 85 percent of Republicans – as well as 88 percent of political independents and 96 percent of Democrats – believe that advanced energy is important to the nation’s economic future, therefore wanting policymakers to focus on fostering such solutions.

For purposes of the research, “advanced energy” was defined asenergy products, technologies and services that are secure, clean and affordable over the long term. Additionally, they are very important – or at least somewhat important – to America’s future. 

The online survey comprised 1,052 likely voters nationwide; and 1,200 likely voters in the swing states of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The poll was conducted on behalf of the Advanced Energy Economy Institute, a new U.S.-based organization that is “dedicated to providing a unified voice for a strong U.S. industry that serves as the economic engine driving the global transition to a smarter energy future.”

The research also found that:

·         Four out of five (80 percent) of Republicans nationwide think it’s important for U.S. political leaders to do more to further advanced energy. In swing states, the number was virtually identical with 80 percent of Republicans saying our leaders must to do more to foster the growth of advanced energy.

·         It’s very or somewhat important for the nation’s next chief executive to make developing advanced energy a top priority, according to 74 percent of Republicans nationwide and 72 percent in swing states.

·         U.S. dependence on foreign oil is a crisis (21 percent) or a major problem (59 percent), according to Republicans nationwide. Only 17 percent believe it is a minor problem. For Democrats and Independents, 83 percent and 82 percent, respectively believe America’s reliance on foreign oil is a crisis or a major problem. In swing states, 82 percent of Republicans believe we are in crisis or a major problem, while only 13 percent believe it’s a minor problem.

·         58 percent of Republicans in swing states believe that the way in which the United States produces electricity – including its costs, reliability, safety, and public health and environmental impacts – amounts to a crisis or a major problem. What’s more, 65 percent of Democrats described the situation as a crisis or major problem; while 61 percent of Independents described it in those terms.

·         Finally, 90 percent of Republican voters believe it is very important or somewhat important for America’s future to be a leader in developing, manufacturing, and deploying advanced energy products such as batteries for power storage, solar panels and turbine components; only 6 percent described it as “not very” or “not important at all.” In swing states, 83 percent of Republicans believe that these solutions are very or somewhat important.  

“The swing states may be up for grabs politically, but, even in these states, voters overwhelmingly agree on the importance of advanced energy for our economic future,” said Graham Richard, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy, a national organization representing advanced energy businesses, and of AEEI, its educational and charitable affiliate. “Americans see the value of advanced energy companies across the nation bringing energy-producing and energy-saving technologies to market and creating jobs that fuel our economy. We look forward to working with political leaders of both parties to help grow this important foundation for our global competitiveness.”

During the Republican and Democratic Conventions, the Advanced Energy Economy Institute will team up with the Atlantic and National Journal to convene forums on “Powering the City,” which will include key voices from the nation’s cities and leading industries discussing strategies for reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency and powering the cities of the future.

The event during the GOP convention will include remarks by AEE CEO Graham Richard and a moderated panel comprising Marvin Fertel, President & CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute; Pegeen Hanrahan, former Mayor, Gainsville, Florida; Dave McCurdy, President & CEO, American Gas Association; and Roger Platt, Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Law, U.S. Green Building Council.

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