# Yet Another Poll: Americans Want Clean Energy

*Published:* 2009-08-28
*Author:* Sharyn Stein

Everyone’s talking about [the latest poll from the *Washington Post*](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/27/AR2009082703823.html), which shows Americans support reforming U.S. energy policy and capping greenhouse gas pollution.

- [NRDC points out](http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/postabc_poll_shows_oiland_coal.html) that support for energy policy is slightly higher than it was in June… *after* a summer’s worth of industry attacks.
- [NWF reminds us](http://blogs.nwf.org/arctic_promise/2009/08/new-poll-americans-demand-clean-energy-now.html) that it wasn’t just this summer — Americans have been “hit from all sides” by industry-funded campaigns for a year and a half.
- And [Climate Progress](http://climateprogress.org/2009/08/28/poll-support-obama-energy-policy-climate-bill/) has this key takeaway: “A lot of people understand energy prices are going up if we do nothing.”

The new poll has [a lot of juicy data](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_081909.html?sid=ST2009082800547) for clean energy supporters. Here are some of our favorite tidbits:

- 57 percent support the proposed changes to U.S. energy policy being developed by Congress and the administration, and even better —
- When asked if they would support a cap and trade program that lowered greenhouse gases but raised electric bills by $10 month, Americans supported the move by 58 percent to 40 percent. ($10 is the total cost to households estimated by the Congressional Budget Office)
- The Post says “GOP criticism of the House energy and climate bill appears to have primarily influenced Republicans themselves.” Support for cap-and-trade dropped among Republicans, but rose among independents.
- 36 percent think changes to U.S. energy policy would add more jobs in their state. Only 15 percent think it would cause job losses.
- An amazing 9 out of 10 people support further development of solar and wind power, while 8 out of 10 support development of electric cars.

All this support is wonderful, but our work is far from done. The *Wall Street Journal*‘s Environmental Capital reminds us that [opponents are in the minority, but they are adamant](http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2009/08/28/obama-energy-plans-have-broad-support-up-to-a-point/).

Your Senators need to know that these aren’t just poll numbers — they are real voters who care about clean energy. [Please call today](https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=1627&pg=makeACall)!