AWEA - U.S. Poll shows wind works for Americans

Voters overwhelmingly support increasing the use of wind power in the U.S. and adopting a strong Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), according to a national poll released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

"The poll's bottom line is clear: An overwhelming majority of American voters, on a bipartisan basis, want more wind power and support a national RES to increase its use," said Anna Bennett and Neil Newhouse, partners respectively with Bennett, Petts & Normington and Public Opinion Strategies, the firms that conducted the poll.

"Wind works for America and that is why voters want Congress to pass a strong national RES" said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. "Americans understand that an RES will mean new manufacturing jobs, less dependence on imported energy, and more pure, clean, affordable energy for our country."

Poll highlights include:
- An overwhelming, bipartisan majority -- 89% -- of American voters (including 84% of Republicans, 88% of Independents and 93% of Democrats) -- believe increasing the amount of energy the nation gets from wind is a good idea.
- A majority of Americans -- 56% -- disapprove of the job Congress is doing on renewable energy and 67% believe Congress is not doing enoughto increase renewable energy sources such as wind.
- A majority of Americans -- 82% -- believe the nation’s economy would be stronger (52%) or the same (30%) if we used more renewable energy sources like wind.
--A majority of Americans -- 77% -- support a national Renewable Electricity Standard. This support extends across party lines and includes 65% of Republicans, 69% of Independents, 92% of Democrats.

The poll was conducted March 27-28 by Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies and Anna Bennett of Bennett, Petts & Normington. The poll sampled a national survey of 600 likely voters. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points. Poll details are available here.

About the AWEA:
AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 2,500 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA Web site.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net