A new survey shows that a vast majority of Texas residents believe it’s important for the state to develop and use renewable energy–even if it costs them more on their monthly electric bills.
The survey of 993 registered voters shows 85% of those polled believe Texas should increase the production and use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Of those, 59% "strongly" favor increasing production of renewable energy.
Currently, about 90% of the energy Texas produces comes from non-renewable sources–such as oil, natural gas, and coal.
"Texas is blessed with the natural resources to become a leader in the production and use of alternative energy," said Meredith Dreiss, president of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, which commissioned the survey. "Texans understand that renewable energy technology is a win-win for all of us because it will help protect the environment and strengthen our state economy."
According to the survey, more than 79% of Texans, including 71% of Republicans and 73% of self-identified conservatives, support financial incentives, such as loans, subsidies and temporary tax reductions to recruit renewable energy businesses and associated jobs to Texas.
Statewide, there is a consensus among Texans to "require" electric companies to provide a certain percentage of their electric power from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Respondents crossed party, racial and gender lines, with 86% of Democrats, 59% of Republicans, 89% of Hispanics, 84% of females under the age of 55 and 61% of males over the age of 55 supporting that requirement.
While respondents said they supported more investment in all forms of renewable energy, a remarkable 61% agree that the state should require a certain percentage of the state’s electricity be generated from solar power. Moreover, a majority (53%) of those polled said they would support solar requirements even if it costs $2 to $3 more on their monthly electric bills.
"The Lone Star State already leads the nation in power generated from wind and this survey clearly indicates that most citizens of Texas are equally excited about solar energy," Marilu Hastings. environment program director of the Mitchell Foundation, said. "As global solar applications grow and costs continue to decline, there is no doubt solar will become an even more essential component of our state’s overall energy strategy."
When respondents were asked whether they would pay more up front for energy-efficient appliances if they were able to save money on their electric bill, over 93% said they would do so. Even among lower and middle income respondents, 93% said they would pay more for appliances that would save them money over time.
Nearly as many Texans (87%) say they would support state-required energy efficiency codes and appliance standards for all newly-constructed homes and buildings to help reduce electricity consumption.
"The quickest and least expensive way to save energy is through energy efficiency programs, such as building codes and appliance standards. We can avoid significant problems down the road by investing in these energy efficiency programs which pay for themselves very quickly," Hastings said.
The survey was conducted April 15-21, 2009 by Baselice & Associates, Inc.. The margin of error to the results of the total sample is +/- 3.2%.
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