(The Center Square) — New Yorkers don’t have a problem with “green” policies aimed at expanding the use of wind, solar and other renewable energies – they just don’t want to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for it, according to a new poll.
The Empire Center for Public Policy found 60% of respondents are either unwilling to pay for clean energy or would contribute only a modest amount — less than $10 per month. Meanwhile, only 3% to 5% of respondents are open to spending $200 or more each month on clean energy, according to the survey, conducted by Morning Consult.
“When choosing between reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keeping energy affordable, the same proportion — three-fifths — favor emission reduction efforts, as long as they don’t result in price increases,” Zilvinas Silenas, the center’s president, said in a statement. “This preference holds true across all demographics, including age, income, and political affiliation.”
Twenty percent of those surveyed said they want lower energy costs even if it results in higher greenhouse gas emissions, pollsters found. Republican voters were even more likely to support that notion, with 30% preferring cheaper energy over meeting emissions reduction targets.
Notably, the gap between Democrat-leaning and Republican-leaning respondents was minimal, pollsters found, with 30% and 39%, respectively, unwilling to pay anything, and 18% and 17% willing to pay less than $10 per month.
Pollsters said roughly two-thirds of New Yorkers believe state leaders should adopt policies to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability in energy production, to help keep costs down for consumers.
The survey is being released as New York faces pressure to issue draft regulations to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a 2019 law that requires the state to reduce its excess greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Green groups have filed a lawsuit against the state, asking a judge to force the state to issue the new regulations.
Meanwhile, Republicans are urging the state to tap into renewable natural gas, green hydrogen and other alternative fuel sources as it implements the 2019 law. They argue that the state needs to diversify its clean energy mix beyond just wind and solar power to improve reliability and keep costs down for consumers.
To be sure, the Empire Center’s poll found most New Yorkers know little about the state’s new climate change policy, with about half of respondents saying they’ve never heard of the law. Only 12% were familiar with the law’s provisions.
President Donald Trump has pledged to focus on developing the nation’s fossil fuel industry, rolling back environmental regulations and reducing tailpipe pollution as part of his energy independence agenda. He has signed executive orders pulling back federal funding and authorization for green projects, and recently halted New York’s massive offshore wind project.
