New Poll Reveals California Voter Support for Expanding Climate Change Policies Erodes Once Costs Are Considered

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The California Business Roundtable recently released the results of a new statewide survey to gauge Californians’ opinions on climate change and the current climate change legislation, including Senate Bill 350. This survey expanded upon other recent public polling on climate change by examining the attitudes of over 1,000 registered voters regarding the potential costs of these policies for electricity and fuels.

Using their proven methodology, the California Business Roundtable conducted the survey to provide policy makers and opinion leaders a deeper understanding of Californians' sentiments on issues critical to our economy and the creation of jobs. Proposals currently being debated in the Legislature have real-life implications for every aspect of California’s economy.

"As with other surveys we’ve conducted in the past, we believe it’s important to provide policy makers with a timely sense of where Californians are on the issues," said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable. "We were able to use the extensive data we have collected on the costs of these policies to gain a better understanding of what sacrifices Californians are prepared to make to address big issues like climate change."

"We are only a few years into the implementation of AB 32 to reduce greenhouse gases by 2020. When they hear about potential price increases, it's not surprising that a majority of voters say we should wait and assess the costs and benefits before we mandate more regulations," said Dorothy Rothrock, president, California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

Key Findings:
•    When asked if they viewed climate change/global warming as a serious threat to California, a moderate threat or no threat at all, 46% of those surveyed said they viewed it as a serious threat, while 36% viewed it as a moderate threat.
 
•    As has been found in previous survey research when asked about the specific elements of proposals to reduce petroleum use by 50%, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, those surveyed overwhelming supported these proposals (70% to 25%, 78% to 18% and 74% to 21% respectively).
 
•    When asked specifically their willingness to pay for these policy changes through higher prices for gas, electricity and other consumer goods to increase the use of green energy, that support eroded rapidly with just 36% saying they were willing to pay higher prices and 62% saying they were unwilling.
 
•    Voters surveyed also felt strongly – 56% to 14% – that the Legislature should have full responsibility for any environmental regulations to address climate change, rather than by un-elected bureaucrats like those at the state’s Air Resources Board.
To view a copy of the survey results, visit http://www.cbrt.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/CBRT.ClimateChangePoll.Topline.FINAL_.pdf


 

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