For a short .pdf of the poll methodology, sample questions, and results, click here.For the full poll (1.1 MB .pdf), click here.
A new poll shows that Kansans want national energy efficiency and renewable energy standards.
“A federal Renewable Energy Standard would create a magnitude of economic and wind development that would create opportunities for not just this generation of Kansans, but for this century,” said Nancy Jackson, director of the Climate and Energy Project (CEP).
“Improved national security, reliable energy, environmental benefits, economic development – in the very near future, the Kansas congressional delegation can bring home an enormous win for our state.”
Republican polling firm Ayres, McHenry & Associates conducted the survey for CEP. It sampled 600 registered voters randomly across the state between April 26-29.
Highlights:
• By better than a 3 to 1 margin, Kansas voters support a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS). An EERS would require utilities to help consumers use existing energy resources more wisely.
• Nearly 9 in 10 Kansans believe renewable energy is a path to stronger national security - 88% percent of Kansans find it to be a “persuasive argument” that utilizing renewable energy will strengthen national security.
• By a margin of 5 to 1, voters support a federal Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that would require utilities to generate more energy from sources like wind and solar.
• 8 in 10 voters agree investing in renewables will create more jobs.
• 3 out of 4 Kansans would be willing to pay between $2 and $5 more every month on their energy bill if it means generating more renewable energy.
“Last year a federal RES failed in the Senate by only one vote,” Jackson said. “The Kansas delegation is debating and voting on new versions of this legislation right now, and they can make the difference in Washington.”
According to Jackson, the future economic development of Kansas is at stake.
• Grid operators expect the Southwest Power Pool region to supply as much as 60,000 megawatts of wind energy by 2030, with most production coming from Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Additional studies suggest that the economic impact to Kansas is in the neighborhood of $23 billion and 12,000 jobs by 2030.
• Add manufacturing to support the wind build-out and the numbers get much bigger – one study estimated that if Kansas could capture even 20% of wind manufacturing for in-state wind, wind energy jobs would increase by 48%. Earnings would increase by 65%, and economic output would increase by 81%.
Kansans can enjoy these economic benefits with relatively few costs. A recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) study projects the cost of a national RES to be negligible, especially in states like Kansas that are rich in wind resources.
“Our congressional delegation has the power to deliver a national RES,” said Jackson. “Several bills are in play – all of them good for Kansas.”
“We are counting on our Senators and Representatives to work hard to bring historic economic development to our entire state while keeping Kansans’ bills low and improving our energy security. A national Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Standard could achieve all these aims.”
For a short .pdf of the poll methodology, sample questions, and results, click here.
For the full poll (1.1 MB .pdf), click here.
For a .pdf of the press release, click here.
For the EIA study referenced above, click here.
For the ACORE study on Kansas economic potential for renewables development, click here.
For the Southwest Power Pool's press release on regional cost allocation for transmission lines, click here.
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