A statewide poll commissioned by Conservatives for Clean Energy Florida shows that 82% of Florida voters are seeing higher utility bills, and a strong majority are looking to clean energy options like solar and nuclear to help bring those costs down. Voters also increasingly link energy policy to national security, especially when it comes to reducing dependence on foreign energy and boosting U.S.-based innovation and investment.
Voters in Florida show strong support for clean energy initiatives in the Sunshine State, including nuclear, solar, and wind, with strong support for solar, especially. Nearly seven-in-ten say that energy independence is a matter of national security, and Floridians overwhelming favor cutting bureaucratic red tape that holds back new energy sources from coming online.
The poll’s findings:
• There is an almost universally held belief that energy prices are getting more expensive (82%). Suburban voters and those in the Tampa and Orlando media markets hold some of the strongest beliefs about increased energy prices.
• Two-thirds of voters believe energy independence is a national security issue (19% not an issue).
• 78% of voters support clean energy including 63% of Republicans.
• 76% of voters who don’t use or own renewable energy sources support clean energy—there is a strong upward growth track here, especially if clean energy is presented as a source of jobs and as a way to lower costs for families.
• 57% of Republicans would be less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes policies that increase U.S. energy production, including 46% who say they’d be much less likely.
• Two-thirds of voters overall would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the continued growth and utilization of solar in Florida.
• 68% of voters—including 58% of Republicans—would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports policies that allow homeowners to save money on their energy bills with rooftop solar.
• 61% of voters overall are not bothered by solar panels on Florida farmland, 33% are bothered, but only 16% are “definitely bothered.”
• 43% of rural voters are bothered, but a majority (55%) are not.
• 60% support restarting previously decommissioned nuclear power plants in Florida (just 22%
oppose). • Support is strong among Republicans and NPAs, Democrats are split yet again.
• Support is much stronger among men (72%) than women (49%).
• A whopping 76% support cutting bureaucratic red tape to accelerate clean energy sources development, especially if that comes at no cost to taxpayers.
• Voters overall favor more emphasis on solar power (57% more emphasis, +44 net) than other sources of energy. (39% of Republicans even favor more emphasis on solar.)
