NEW POLL: Clear Majority of Minnesotans Support Bill to Achieve 100% Clean Energy by 2040

As Minnesota Senate debates 100% clean energy bill, new polling finds 57% of Minnesotans support the measure

Today, Evergreen Action and Data for Progress released new polling that shows that 57% of Minnesotans support the state legislature taking action to pass its proposed 100% clean energy bill, and just 40% oppose it. This bill would require the state to generate 100 percent of its energy from carbon-free energy sources by 2040. It was passed last week by the Minnesota House, and the Minnesota Senate is expected to vote on it tonight. 

The poll also shows that 55% of voters believe that Minnesota should get more energy from carbon-free, clean sources, with just 16% supporting less clean energy.
 

Some key findings from Evergreen Action and Data for Progress are below, with poll results available online here
 

Key findings:

  • 57% of voters support a bill that the Minnesota state legislature is considering that would require the state to generate 100 percent of its energy from carbon-free energy sources by 2040—including from wind, hydroelectric, solar, and nuclear power sources. Just 40% oppose the bill.

  • 55% of Minnesotans would like to see Minnesota produce more clean, carbon-free power. Just 16% would like to see the state produce less carbon-free power.

  • 53% of Minnesotans support the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment ever passed by Congress. Just 39% oppose the bill.
     

“The people of Minnesota are ready for a 100% clean energy future,” said Evergreen Action State Program Director Justin Balik. “A push toward 100% clean energy would make Minnesota a national leader on climate while delivering for Minnesota communities. Governor Walz campaigned and won reelection while championing his new climate plan and this poll further demonstrates that climate action is a winning issue in Minnesota. The Governor and the legislative champions of the 100% clean energy bill, including House Majority Leader Jamie Long and Senator Nick Frentz, are standing clearly on the side of the majority of Minnesotans and we commend their leadership in propelling Minnesota’s transition to a just clean energy future forward.”

“The future of our planet depends on a just transition to clean energy, and it’ll take effort from cities, states, and the federal government to get us there,” said Danielle Deiseroth, Interim Executive Director of Data for Progress. “Minnesota’s bill to generate 100% clean energy by 2040 isn’t just necessary for our climate. It’s popular with the majority of Minnesotans — including Independents — who will all receive better jobs, cleaner communities, and healthier lives because of this bill.”

 

 

From January 28 to February 1, 2023, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 858 likely voters in Minnesota using SMS and web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, geography, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points. NB: subgroups with a n-size less than 50 (<50) are not shown on these cross-tabs. We choose not to display N<50 subgroups because the sample is too small to have statistical significance. We did, however, take samples of these subgroups for representational and weighting purposes to accurately reflect the electorate makeup. Some values may not add up to 100 due to rounding. N=858 unless otherwise specified.

Evergreen’s new polling in collaboration with Data for Progress is a part of a multi-state effort to support and advance state progress on clean energy. State leadership—and effective, equitable state implementation of the IRA and the bipartisan federal infrastructure law—will be critical to fully reach America’s pollution reduction targets, and to build a thriving and just economy run on clean energy.

 

About Evergreen Action:

Evergreen Action is leading the fight to put climate action at the top of America’s agenda. Since our founding in 2020, Evergreen has successfully influenced the national climate policy landscape by pairing bold policy products with campaign-style communications and advocacy tactics. We marry movement partnerships with direct engagement with decision-makers to deliver the greatest possible impact as fast as possible. Learn more at evergreenaction.com.

About Data for Progress: 

Data for Progress is a progressive think tank and polling firm that arms movements with data-driven tools to fight for a more equitable future. DFP provides polling, data-based messaging, and policy generation for the progressive movement, and advises campaigns and candidates with the tools they need to win. DFP polling is regularly cited by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vox, and hundreds of other trusted news organizations.

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