Rumors coming from Capitol Hill over the last week have suggested Democratic Congressional leaders may appease their conservative colleagues by approving an energy bill with no renewable energy standard and no tax incentives for solar, wind and other clean energy technologies.
But a new poll suggests conservative representatives might not see eye to eye with their constituencies.
A poll of potential 2008 voters by Zogby International found that Americans across the political spectrum support a new national standard for renewable electricity like those already in place in more than 20 states.
The poll, commissioned by the American Wind Energy Association, documents growing support for renewable energy and growing concern about energy independence as top domestic priorities for potential 2008 voters. Highlights of the survey include: 93% of conservatives agreed that energy independence “should be the government’s top priority.” 77% of Republicans, 86% of Southerners, 83% of those in military families, 77% of self-identified conservatives, 81% of rural voters, 85% of independent voters and 92% of Democrats agreed that the federal government should follow the lead of a number of states that now require at least some of their electricity come from renewable sources such as wind and solar. 64% of those polled disagree with the proposition that the federal government is doing enough to promote clean renewable energy.
“This demonstrates the tremendous level of bipartisan support across our nation for a renewable electricity standard” commented Representative Tom Udall (D-NM), who authored the renewable electricity standard provision approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year.
In August, the House passed a bill mandating that 20% of the nation’s electricity be supplied by renewable resources by the year 2020. However, the measure has so far been unable to gain enough support in the Senate. Congressional leaders said this week they hope to come to an agreement on an energy bill by the end of the year, but gave no clear indication weather the bill will contain a Renewable Portfolio Standard, tax credits for renewables or increased fuel efficiency standards for vehicles.
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