Press Releases

NEW POLLING: Following 100 Percent Clean Energy Law, Minnesotans Are Ready For More Bold Action On Climate & Clean Energy

TAGS:
100% Clean Power State Climate Action
Press Contact: Holly Burke

Today, in the wake of the 100 percent clean energy by 2040 law signed by Governor Walz earlier this month, Evergreen Action and Data for Progress (DFP) are releasing new polling highlighting Minnesota voters’ desire for additional action on climate and clean energy. Prior to the 100 percent clean energy bill’s passage in the state legislature, Evergreen and DFP released initial results showing that a clear majority of Minnesotans supported the bill. With a Democratic trifecta in the state legislature and governor’s office, leaders in Minnesota have an immense opportunity to take further action on climate and clean energy, and this polling demonstrates a clear appetite among Minnesota voters for continued climate leadership. 

Key findings from Evergreen Action and Data for Progress are below, with full polling results available online here. 

Key findings:

  • A majority (62 percent) of voters support permitting reforms to consider the cumulative impact of new industrial facilities on overburdened communities 

  • Establishing a Green Bank is supported by a majority (64 percent) of voters, including 93 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Independents.

  • A wide majority (80 percent) of voters support funding in alternative waste strategies.

  • A majority (60 percent) of voters support updating building codes for zero emissions by 2036.

  • A plurality of voters think gas line extension subsidies should be eliminated.

“On the heels of their new clean electricity standard, there’s palpable momentum in Minnesota for state leaders to continue the charge on climate and clean energy,” said Evergreen Action State Program Director Justin Balik. “The passage of the 100 percent clean electricity standard is a clear signal that Minnesota will be a national climate leader, but we can’t let up. Our new polling data shows that Minnesotans are ready for their leaders to put their full weight behind a suite of additional policies that advance a clean energy future and environmental justice. With a trifecta in state government, it’s time for Minnesota to double down on bold climate action. We look forward to getting to work with partners in state on the next great success story in state climate leadership.”

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From January 28th to February 1st, 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 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 reaching America’s pollution reduction targets, and to building 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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