We’re not that divided on a Green Future as much as politicians want us to believe

Pennsyltucky, & fracking, say what? 659 registered voters in Pennsylvania polls say otherwise.

According to a poll from Climate Nexus, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, Pennsylvania voters understand that climate change is a threat, support taking action to cut carbon, and want trained workers in clean energy jobs.

76% of Pennsylvania voters say that climate change is a serious problem, with 45% calling it “very serious.”

“Pennsylvania voters are worried about climate change,” said Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program of Climate Change Communication. “And they want their state government to act, including accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.”

72% of Pennsylvania voters support the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is a plan to cut CO2 emissions from power plants.

In RGGI, power companies purchase permits from the state based on the pollution they produce. The money generated from the sale of permits will be re-invested in Pennsylvania. Voters want the dollars to be reinvested in:

• training workers for clean energy jobs (71%)
• expanding energy efficiency and weatherization programs for homes and businesses to reduce energy consumption and lower consumer bills (71%)
• boosting economic development in farming communities that produce renewable energy (69%)
• providing incentives to boost production of renewable energy like wind and solar (67%)

Pennsylvanians believe that joining RGGI will help air quality (75%), health of Pennsylvanians (69%), climate change (68%) and the state’s economy (56%).

Most of Pennsylvania (78%) want job training, guaranteed wages, or assistance to coal or natural gas workers who lose their jobs to renewable energy sources.

Voters will support politicians that invest in a clean energy for the state, too. 56% of PA voters are more likely to vote for a state representative that supports Pennsylvania in RGGI.

Photo by Eelco Böhtlingk on Unsplash

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher