Conservatives for Clean Energy – South Carolina (CCE-SC) released a new statewide poll today, revealing strengthening support and positive sentiment for a clean, renewable energy future for the Palmetto State.
“Thanks to the hard work of our conservative activists and forward-thinking legislators in the General Assembly, South Carolina has quickly transformed itself into a national leader of clean energy solutions,” said Matt Orr, State Director of CCE-SC. “Today’s poll results indicate further support for our General Assembly’s efforts to continue to build clean energy here. With this encouraging positive momentum, we can help to create more new clean energy jobs, further protect our state’s abundant natural resources, and make our nation more energy independent.”
According to the survey of 600 likely South Carolina voters, a strong majority (76%) support renewable clean energy, like solar and wind.
• Younger voters show the highest support for the development of renewables, with 84% of 18-24-year-olds and 83% of 35-44-year-olds supporting clean energy.
• A majority of Republicans support clean energy (61%) compared to 77% of Independents and 92% of Democrats.
Looking toward this upcoming legislative session, this poll measured support for various energy policy proposals that might be discussed in the South Carolina General Assembly.
• With respect to Electricity Market Reform Measures Study Committee, chaired by State Senator Tom Davis: 50% of likely voters support reforming our monopoly utility system to create more choices by opening electricity markets to competition.
• South Carolina voters also favor more forward-thinking infrastructure investments. 51% support government investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Luke Byars, CCE-SC Advisor and longtime state political consultant said, “South Carolina is a conservative state, but these numbers demonstrate widespread support for more energy choices. It should be a wake-up call for leaders of all other red states and anyone who might still think only liberals care about renewable energy and the environment.”
This poll also measured job approval ratings of Governor Henry McMaster and President Joe Biden among likely voters. 51% of South Carolinians approve of the job that Henry McMaster is doing as Governor, while 61% of South Carolinians disapprove of the job that Joe Biden is doing as President.
Additionally, South Carolinians from both parties strongly believe that our climate is changing.
• 82% of voters say climate change is occurring, including 95% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans. A majority (61%) of likely voters believe that we must act to combat our changing climate. 29% say we need a solution to combat it and 32% say we need an immediate solution to combat it.
Mark Fleming, President & CEO of Conservatives for Clean Energy, said, “As conservatives, we strongly believe in free markets and less government regulation. These poll results show that South Carolinians strongly support clean energy initiatives. However, it is imperative that we uphold our conservative ideals by supporting market-based clean energy solutions and not government mandates like the ‘Green New Deal’ as we work to lower emissions and protect our great country.”
Click here to view the full results of the 2021 CCE-SC Clean Energy Poll.