Poll Results: Executive Summary

Poll Results: Top Lines

The Iowa Business for Clean Energy released a new poll that found Iowans overwhelmingly support clean energy development in Iowa and believe it helps drive down the cost of energy.  The poll, conducted by Nexus Polling, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, interviewed 660 Iowa voters. It underscores the importance for Iowa Businesses to have access to low cost clean energy to compete for today’s customers.

Key findings include:

  • Nine in 10 (90%) Iowa voters have a favorable opinion of solar energy, and 86% have a favorable view of wind energy.

  • By nearly a four-to-one margin, Iowa voters believe increases in solar energy production will decrease (48%) rather than increase (13%) the cost of their utility bills. 

  • More than eight in 10 (84%) say wind and solar are reliable forms of energy, and more than three-quarters (78%) say developing renewable energy in their county is a good thing.

  • Nearly three-quarters (74%) support allowing businesses to generate renewable electricity on their property to sell to EV owners. 

“This poll underscores what the business community is hearing – consumer expectations for clean energy continue to rise – and businesses need to be able access clean energy at affordable rates to meet those expectations.”  ,” said Delia Moon-Meier, Senior Vice President at the Iowa 80 Group. “In today’s global market, Iowa businesses need clean energy investments, either directly or through their utility, to ensure they are competitive.”

“Iowa voters want to farm solar and wind energy across the state, including in their own counities,” said Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “They strongly support policies to make it easier for individuals and businesses to install solar panels and wind turbines and contribute to Iowa’s clean energy future.”

“Iowa voters understand the benefits of clean energy, because Iowa is already a leading producer of renewable energy,” said Dr. Edward Maibach, Director of George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication. “From increased wages and lower electricity bills to a cleaner environment, Iowans are optimistic about the benefits that more clean energy development will bring.”