Public opinion watch: New polls in Maryland, Ohio find voters back wind power
In addition to a recent poll in Vermont showing strong support there for wind power, two new surveys, in Maryland and Ohio, have found public backing for the clean energy technology.
The Maryland findings come from a recent Washington Post poll, conducted February 21-24, among 1,156 respondents, on attitudes toward offshore wind power. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed supported a plan to provide state backing for an offshore wind farm, with the cost limited to $1.50 per month on electricity bills (39 percent were opposed). The findings provided welcome support for a proposal by Gov. Martin O'Malley to boost offshore wind, which is moving closer to passage in the state legislature.
AWEA issued a press release on the results of the Ohio poll, which found even stronger affirmation for renewable energy and wind power in the Buckeye State. Among key results, nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said they support laws requiring the state's utilities to obtain a minimum portion of the electricity they sell from renewable energy sources, while amost three-quarters (73 percent) favor building more wind farms in the state.
“Ohio is one of the fastest growing states for renewable energy investments,” noted AWEA Interim CEO Rob Gramlich. “Polling data in Ohio shows that large majorities of Ohioans from all backgrounds support sound investments in renewable energy. This data confirms that Ohio's policymakers should continue on the successful course they have taken since the clean energy law was passed in 2008.” (One major wind farm in Van Wert County, near the Indiana line, made news recently with its first payment of more than $400,000 in property taxes.)
Public opinion watch: Vermont poll yet again finds strong support for wind power, February 27, 2013
Public opinion watch: Wind, solar tally strong support in Rocky Mountain states, February 12, 2013
Public opinion watch: Marylanders strongly back offshore wind power, January 22, 2013
Public opinion watch: Danish survey finds neighbours can learn to love wind turbines, December 26, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: Two more polls confirm popularity of clean, renewable energy, November 21, 2012
National survey: 60 percent of Americans back tax credits for renewable energy, November 9, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: New poll: Iowa voters not likely to support anti-wind candidate, July 31, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: Stanford poll finds strong support for renewable energy tax credits, May 14, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: Montana, Western polls find strong renewable energy support, March 27, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: Ontarians: Wind power one of safest forms of electricity generation, March 6, 2012
Public Opinion Watch: Wind farms poll best in survey of attitudes toward energy projects, October 18, 2011
Public Opinion Watch: Marylanders back offshore wind, October 12, 2011
Public Opinion Watch: Vermonters choose wind power, August 17, 2011
Two-thirds of consumers would pay more for products made with wind energy, global survey finds, July 6, 2011
Public Opinion Watch: Iowa voters overwhelmingly back wind energy, July 1, 2011
Public Opinion Watch: Wisconsin says “Yes!” to wind power, April 25, 2011