Bloomberg Philanthropies Poll Finds Broad Support for Clean Power Plan Among Voters in States Suing EPA to Block Rule
Poll also finds voters are more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who supports the Clean Power Plan
Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies released the results of a poll that examined the attitudes of voters toward the Clean Power Plan (CPP) in four key states: Florida, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In each of these states, attorneys general have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block the CPP from being enacted. However, the polling found widespread support for the CPP and concretely showed that attorneys general Brad Schimel (WI), Pam Bondi (FL), Bill Schuette (MI), and Chris Koster (MO) are out of step with their constituents. Additionally, the poll found that the majority of voters in Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin, and a plurality of Missouri voters, were more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who also supported the plan.
Composed of a sample size of 801 registered voters in each respective state, the poll revealed that, despite lawsuits filed against the EPA, the majority of constituents in the four states favor government action on climate change and strongly support the CPP.
Voters who support the Clean Power Plan in states suing to block the plan:
- 73 percent in Florida;
- 72 percent in Michigan;
- 68 percent in Wisconsin;
- 64 percent in
Voters in states who are more likely to vote for a Presidential Candidate in support of the CPP:
- 58 percent in Florida;
- 52 percent in Michigan;
- 50 percent in Wisconsin;
- 49 percent in Missouri.
The poll was conducted just days before the historic signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change by representatives of 175 nations at the United Nations in New York, and after a divided U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted the CPP, the U.S. Government’s signature plan to place the nation’s first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. Implementation of the CPP will help the U.S. meet its Paris Agreement pledge and enable further state and local action on climate change — including strengthening the market for cleaner, more renewable sources of energy (like solar and wind) and improving air quality and public health. Simultaneously, it will create jobs and spur economic growth.
The poll also underscores the strong legal endorsement of the CPP by over fifty cities, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in an amicus brief filed in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday, April 1. Writing in support of the CPP, the cities argued that “cities’ efforts to adapt to a changing climate and to mitigate its causes are highly sensitive to national policies like the Clean Power Plan, which shape national markets, steer state action, and have the largest impact on nationwide emissions. Cities working to shoulder the burdens of adaptation would, therefore, face an ever-harder — and ever more expensive — task in the absence of the Clean Power Plan.” Notably, the brief was signed by twenty-three local governments within states that have joined the lawsuit against the EPA, including:
Florida
- Coral Gables
- Cutler Bay
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Orlando
- Pinecrest
- West Palm Beach
Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- Grand Rapids
Wisconsin
- Madison
- Washburn
Antha Williams, Environment Program Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies: “Bloomberg Philanthropies believes in climate action from the bottom up, and the Clean Power Plan is a critical tool for state and local leaders to plan for a clean energy future. Since 2011, our founder Mike Bloomberg has pledged over $100 million to support the transition away from coal and towards more renewable electricity, beginning with local action by community groups and city officials and including the engagement of both businesses and regulators. We are not surprised to see that the majority of residents in these four states want the CPP enacted now.”
The research was conducted by Forward Intelligence, a growing market research and technology company headquartered in Washington, D.C. Forward Intelligence works with Fortune 500 companies, industry trade groups and non-profit organizations.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Carriero, Bloomberg Philanthropies rebeccac@bloomberg.org +1 212 205 0182