Millennial Voters from All Sides Agree: Clean Energy is Important

The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) this week released results from a joint clean energy poll, conducted with the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), of 400 18-24 year-old likely voters across the nation. The survey found that a strong majority of young voters support clean energy, and desire changes to our current electricity markets that reduce regulations, disrupt monopolies, and increase consumer choice.

“Data shows that millennials will likely be the largest voting bloc in the 2018 election cycle,” said Benji Backer, president of ACC. “Results from this poll show that these young voters overwhelmingly want the nation to pursue an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy model and other free-market solutions to address the energy challenges facing our nation.”

Key figures from the new poll include:

• 82% of respondents said energy is an important issue for them going into the 2018 elections.
• 92% agreed that an all-of-the-above energy plan is worth pursuing. This includes alternative and renewable energies that will innovate the market and provide consumers with a variety of energy choices.
• 67% of these young voters also stated their opposition to voting for candidates against the pursuit of clean energy options, with 58% of conservatives polled saying they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes increasing the development and use of clean energy.
• Independents expressed a desire to see more renewable energy options across the board, including 74% who want to see more emphasis placed on solar power and 64% who emphasized wind power.
• 79% of respondents believe that candidates who support renewable energy care more about their families and communities than those candidates who oppose it.

“In 2018, millions of young Americans will be casting ballots in their first election – and how they vote will be a strong predictor of voting habits that will persist for the rest of their lives,” said Mark Pischea, president of CEN. “It’s important that young people understand that they can be conservative and favor clean energy – and support candidates who feel the same.”

Backer concluded: “Young voters are embracing clean energy because it is strengthening economic competitiveness, offering consumers greater choice and a more diverse energy portfolio. With the growing moral and economic implications of environmental issues, conservatives must lead if they hope to garner support from the youth demographic in future elections.”

The poll was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies (POS), one of the nation’s top GOP polling firms. POS surveyed 400 18-24 year-old likely voters across the nation from February 10-14, 2018.

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