Survey: Voters Want to Maintain and Improve Current Federal Methane Emission Regulations

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Citizens For Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) released new polling that shows strong support for current federal methane emission regulations among likely voters inside four states. The poll, commissioned by CRES and conducted by WPA Research, illustrates that likely voters across the political spectrum in Colorado, Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee want to maintain and improve current regulations on energy companies aimed at reducing natural gas emissions. Further, voters also support requirements that all oil and gas producers who operate on national public lands must use updated equipment and technology to prevent methane and natural gas leaks.

"This survey shows what we at CRES have seen time and time again, that advancing clean energy solutions is smart policy and smart politics. While there are clear political divisions in our country, large majorities of likely voters continue to support federal action to reduce emissions that cause climate change, make domestic energy sources like natural gas cleaner and more efficient, and update and simplify regulations instead of cutting them," said CRES Managing Director Heather Reams.

"It's clear from these results that efforts to reduce emissions and maintain and improve existing regulations are a priority for voters regardless of party. These results show strong support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents for advancing innovative technologies that make domestic energy cleaner and more efficient," said pollster Ashlee Stephenson of WPA Research.

Voters favor steps to reduce methane emission. Likely Voters strongly favor the federal government taking steps to reduce emission of gases like carbon dioxide and methane that cause climate change. A majority of Republicans across each state (CO: 61%, NV: 63%. OH: 54%, TN: 56%) favor the federal government taking steps to reduce emissions of gasses that cause global climate change. Further, these results are very strong among Independents by state (CO: 74%, NV: 72%, OH: 71%, TN: 68%). 

Likely voters believe natural gas leaks are harming the environment. Likely voters in each state believe that natural gas leaks are harming the environment, with nearly three-in-four voters in Nevada and Colorado (72%) saying they believe it is harming the environment. At least seven-in-ten Independents in each state believe gas leaks are harming the environment. A majority of Republicans in each state also believe natural gas leaks are harming the environment. 

Click here to read the polling memo and here for toplines from WPA.

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded in 2013 to engage Republican policymakers and the public about commonsense, conservative solutions to address our nation's need for abundant, reliable energy while preserving our environment.

SOURCE Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions