Texas Clean Energy Online Survey

Key findings from an online survey in Texas of 600 registered
voters, conducted November 30-December 5, 2021.

Methodology

Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findings from an online survey of 600 registered voters in Texas, conducted November 30-December 5, 2021, with a credibility interval of +4.56%.

Glen Bolger was the principal researcher. Torie Bolger was the project director, and Katie Connolly provided analytical support.

Political Environment

There is a generation gap. Older voters back the GOP candidate, younger voters break to the Dem.

A majority of voters, including more than 60% of Inds,
disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as President.

“Thinking nationally, do you approve or disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as President?”

A strong majority of voters say it is important that a candidate for political office share their opinion on clean energy issues.

“How important is it to you that a candidate for political
office share your opinion on clean energy issues? Is it...”

Dems, men, and liberals are most likely to say it is very important that a candidate share their opinions.

Energy

More than half of all voters believe there should be more emphasis on natural gas, wind power, and solar power.

There has been a rise in support for placing more emphasis on coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and oil among GOPers.

Inds say we should place more emphasis on solar power, wind power, and natural gas.

Dems say we should place more emphasis on solar and wind power and less emphasis on coal.

Strong support continues for the state government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas.

“Would you say you support or oppose the state government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas?”

Support is solid across partisan lines, especially among Dems.

Three of four voters now favor the use of Carbon Capture.

“As you may know, Carbon Capture and Storage is a technology that can trap and prevent carbon dioxide emissions, also known as "CO2”, produced in electricity generation and industrial processes and stop the byproduct from entering the earth's atmosphere. It also makes fracking more efficient by recovering more oil. Adding Carbon Capture and Storage to power plants may increase the cost of electricity but would help protect the environment. Do you favor or oppose adding Carbon Capture and Storage to coal power plants?”

Voters across partisan lines are in favor of Carbon Capture.

Support for Carbon Capture is highest in the Balance/ West-South DMA and “lowest” in the Houston DMA.

Carbon Capture and Storage Trend by DMA

There is a small gender gap among younger voters, with men more likely to favor Carbon Capture than women.

Two-thirds of conservative voters back Carbon Capture.

Support for Carbon Capture is now higher among men than women.

Support for fracking has increased a net 13 points since 2020.

“As you may know, fracking is a process that uses the high-pressure injection of water, sand, and chemicals to remove oil and natural gas from rocks. Do you favor or oppose fracking in Texas?”

Democrats remain opposed to fracking, but support for fracking has increased across partisan lines.

Support for fracking is lowest in the Austin DMA, followed by San Antonio. Support is solid across the rest of the state.

Fracking in Texas Trend by DMA

Younger men are the most supportive of fracking.

Support for fracking has increased across ideological lines.

Women with degrees are the least supportive of fracking in Texas, while men with degrees are the most.

Clean Energy

A solid majority of voters would prefer approaches that allow the free market and the private sector to provide more clean energy.

“To increase clean energy production, would you prefer...”

There is support for the free market across partisan lines. GOPers are the most supportive.

Voters say innovation will accelerate the development and use of clean energy more than government regulation.

“And, which do you think will do more to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas...”

There is a consensus across partisan lines that innovation will do more to accelerate development.

Voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate if they support taking action to develop more clean energy programs.

“Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office here in Texas if you learned that the candidate SUPPORTS taking action to increase the development and use of clean energy, like solar, wind, and energy efficiency programs, or would it make no difference to your vote?”

However, for one quarter of GOPers it would make them less likely to support a candidate.

More than 70% of voters say investing in solar panels and energy efficiency is worth it because it saves money.

“Thinking about this more... Which of the following statements do you most agree with?”

Support for investing in solar panels is solid across partisan lines, though support has decreased among Inds and Dems since 2020.

Nearly three quarters of voters say clean energy in Texas will help the economy and create jobs.

“Now, please read about some potential outcomes if there is more use of clean energy in Texas. Do you think more use of clean energy in Texas will... Help the economy and create jobs or hurt the economy and cost jobs?”

There has not been much change across partisan lines on whether or not it will help/hurt the economy.

75% of voters say the use of clean energy will improve the reliability of the electric grid.

“Improve the reliability of the electric grid or hurt the reliability of the electric grid?”

Nearly all Democrats say clean energy will improve reliability.

A solid majority of voters believe clean energy will increase consumer choice.

“Increase customer choice or decrease customer choice?”

However, an increasing number of Inds and GOPers say clean energy will decrease consumer choice.

A slim majority of voters believe using more clean energy will result in cheaper energy.

“Result in cheaper energy or more expensive energy?”

There is a partisan divide here, as a majority of GOPers do not believe clean energy will lead to cheaper prices.

A strong majority of voters think using more clean energy will result in more energy innovation.

“Result in more energy innovation or less energy innovation?”

GOPers, Inds, and Dems all say it will lead to more innovation.

The belief that clean energy will result in positive outcomes is held throughout the state, particularly in the Austin DMA.

Message Testing

Having cleaner, healthier air and less pollution is the top reason voters want to accelerate the growth of clean energy.

“Now, please read a few statements about why some people want to accelerate the growth of clean energy, by speeding up the development of sources of renewable energy like wind and solar power. After you read each statement, please indicate whether you agree or disagree with that statement.”

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Top Messages Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Top Messages Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

More than 80% of voters agree that Texas should pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

“Still thinking about energy, please read below a list of statements. After you read each one, please indicate whether you agree or disagree with that statement.”

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Policy Testing

It is most important to voters that utilities are encouraged to invest more in efficiency programs to reduce energy waste.

“Now, please read a list of policies that supporters have prioritized to help expand Texas’ commitment to clean energy. After you read each one, please indicate whether you think that policy is important or not important.”

Ranked by % Very Important

Top Policies Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Very Important

Top Policies Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Very Important

There is solid support for all of these policies, especially for energy efficiency upgrades.

“Now, please read a list of policies that advocates have prioritized to help expand Texas’ commitment to clean energy. After you read each one, please indicate whether you favor or oppose that policy.”

Ranked by % Strongly Favor

Support is weakest for increasing government spending to modernize America’s electricity grid.

“Now, please read a list of policies that advocates have prioritized to help expand Texas’ commitment to clean energy. After you read each one, please indicate whether you favor or oppose that policy.”

Ranked by % Strongly Favor

Top Policies Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Favor

Top Policies Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Favor

Utility Reliability & The Storm

Most voters are not confident that the State Legislature passed effective laws to prevent disruptions in utility services.

“Now thinking about the winter storm at the beginning of the year... How confident are you that the Texas Legislature passed effective laws in the recently completed legislative session to prevent future disruptions in utility services like those that resulted from the winter storm?”

Only GOPers are confident the legislature passed effective laws.

Confidence is lowest in Austin.

Confidence in Texas Legislature by Gender/Age + Seniors

Majorities of younger men and women believe the laws will be effective.

Confidence in Texas Legislature by Gender/Age + Seniors

More than 70% of voters report they faced a lot/some difficulty as a result of the winter storm at the beginning of the year.

“Overall, how much difficulty did you face as a result of the winter storm and its effects?”

Voters across partisan lines say they would prefer to continue with the free market approach to energy delivery.

“Thinking about the impacts of the storm, would you prefer to...”

Dems are most likely to be willing to pay more for reliability on electricity.

“Are you willing to pay more money for more reliability on electricity?”

China

Voters are most concerned with China’s potential impact on cyber security, followed by the impact on national security.

“Thinking about a different issue... How concerned are you with China’s potential impact on...”

Ranked by % Very Concerned

Cyber security is the top concern across partisan lines, though concern is highest among Republicans.

Top Concerns by Party

The Bottom Line

THE BOTTOM LINE

Texas voters, including Republicans on most issues, are supportive of clean energy policy initiatives and messaging. On the political questions, voters are divided about the direction of the state. The generic ballot for state legislature is statistically tied, but the presidential ballot test shows a toss-up race.

Key findings on the main topic of the survey, clean energy, include:

Fully 85% of Texans say it is important that a candidate for office shares their opinion on clean energy issues.
Texans say more emphasis should be given to solar, wind power, and natural gas. Voters are evenly divided on nuclear power and oil, while
coal gets a big thumbs-down. For the first time, we tested geo-thermal, and it is similar to natural gas in its support among respondents.
Republicans are a bit different, placing more emphasis on natural gas, solar power, and oil. GOP support for nuclear has grown in the last
year, while opposition among GOPers has increased toward wind power. Geothermal does relatively well.
Fully 82% support the state government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas, including 73% of
Republicans.
Carbon Capture tests very well, although intensity of support is very soft.
Support for fracking in Texas has improved a net 13 points since March 2020. Fracking receives significant backing from Republicans, and has
popped a net 25 points to the good among Independents, while Democrats are not as negative as they were in March 2020.
Voters overwhelmingly prefer a free market approach over government mandates and incentives, and, similarly, prefer innovation to
regulation.
Texans believe that the use of more clean energy in Texas will help the economy/create jobs, will improve the reliability of the electric grid,
increase consumer choice, result in cheaper energy, and result in more energy innovation.
A significant number of voters overall, including 61% of Independents and a plurality of GOPers, are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports taking action to increase the development and use of clean energy.
There is strong support for investing in solar panels and more energy efficient buildings.
Texans overwhelmingly believe that more use of clean energy in Texas will help the economy/create jobs, as well as improve the reliability of the electric grid. They also overwhelmingly believe that it will increase customer choice.
Texans are much more divided about the impact on cost, although a slim majority believes it will result in cheaper energy rather than more expensive energy.
There is strong support for action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas, and for an all-of-the-above energy strategy.
We tested specific policies on clean energy. All five tested strongly.
- There is strong support for more investment by utilities in efficiency programs;
- Strong support for more homeowners and business owners to invest in their own renewable energy;
- Backing to protect property owners’ ability to produce electricity on their land/lease land for renewables;
- Giving consumers more choice by permitting third-party sales; and,
- Minimizing red tape and regulation on renewables.
Eight policies were tested that would prioritize Texas’ commitment to clean energy, and all eight scored extremely well.
Messages testing reasons to accelerate the growth of clean energy all scored well with voters.
Overall, there are a number of policies and messages advancing clean energy in Texas that resonate very well with voters, including Republicans and Independents.

Research

Poll Results

Texas Clean Energy Online Survey

Key findings from an online survey in Texas of 600 registered voters, conducted November 30-December 5, 2021.

Methodology

Political Environment

There is a generation gap. Older voters back the GOP candidate, younger voters break to the Dem.

A majority of voters, including more than 60% of Inds, disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as President.

“Thinking nationally, do you approve or disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as President?”

A strong majority of voters say it is important that a candidate for political office share their opinion on clean energy issues.

“How important is it to you that a candidate for political office share your opinion on clean energy issues? Is it...”

Dems, men, and liberals are most likely to say it is very important that a candidate share their opinions.

Energy

More than half of all voters believe there should be more emphasis on natural gas, wind power, and solar power.

There has been a rise in support for placing more emphasis on coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and oil among GOPers.

Inds say we should place more emphasis on solar power, wind power, and natural gas.

Dems say we should place more emphasis on solar and wind power and less emphasis on coal.

Strong support continues for the state government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas.

“Would you say you support or oppose the state government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas?”

Support is solid across partisan lines, especially among Dems.

Three of four voters now favor the use of Carbon Capture.

Voters across partisan lines are in favor of Carbon Capture.

Support for Carbon Capture is highest in the Balance/ West-South DMA and “lowest” in the Houston DMA.

Carbon Capture and Storage Trend by DMA

There is a small gender gap among younger voters, with men more likely to favor Carbon Capture than women.

Two-thirds of conservative voters back Carbon Capture.

Support for Carbon Capture is now higher among men than women.

Support for fracking has increased a net 13 points since 2020.

“As you may know, fracking is a process that uses the high-pressure injection of water, sand, and chemicals to remove oil and natural gas from rocks. Do you favor or oppose fracking in Texas?”

Democrats remain opposed to fracking, but support for fracking has increased across partisan lines.

Support for fracking is lowest in the Austin DMA, followed by San Antonio. Support is solid across the rest of the state.

Fracking in Texas Trend by DMA

Younger men are the most supportive of fracking.

Support for fracking has increased across ideological lines.

Women with degrees are the least supportive of fracking in Texas, while men with degrees are the most.

Clean Energy

A solid majority of voters would prefer approaches that allow the free market and the private sector to provide more clean energy.

“To increase clean energy production, would you prefer...”

There is support for the free market across partisan lines. GOPers are the most supportive.

Voters say innovation will accelerate the development and use of clean energy more than government regulation.

“And, which do you think will do more to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Texas...”

There is a consensus across partisan lines that innovation will do more to accelerate development.

Voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate if they support taking action to develop more clean energy programs.

However, for one quarter of GOPers it would make them less likely to support a candidate.

More than 70% of voters say investing in solar panels and energy efficiency is worth it because it saves money.

“Thinking about this more... Which of the following statements do you most agree with?”

Support for investing in solar panels is solid across partisan lines, though support has decreased among Inds and Dems since 2020.

Nearly three quarters of voters say clean energy in Texas will help the economy and create jobs.

“Now, please read about some potential outcomes if there is more use of clean energy in Texas. Do you think more use of clean energy in Texas will... Help the economy and create jobs or hurt the economy and cost jobs?”

There has not been much change across partisan lines on whether or not it will help/hurt the economy.

75% of voters say the use of clean energy will improve the reliability of the electric grid.

“Improve the reliability of the electric grid or hurt the reliability of the electric grid?”

Nearly all Democrats say clean energy will improve reliability.

A solid majority of voters believe clean energy will increase consumer choice.

“Increase customer choice or decrease customer choice?”

However, an increasing number of Inds and GOPers say clean energy will decrease consumer choice.

A slim majority of voters believe using more clean energy will result in cheaper energy.

“Result in cheaper energy or more expensive energy?”

There is a partisan divide here, as a majority of GOPers do not believe clean energy will lead to cheaper prices.

A strong majority of voters think using more clean energy will result in more energy innovation.

“Result in more energy innovation or less energy innovation?”

GOPers, Inds, and Dems all say it will lead to more innovation.

The belief that clean energy will result in positive outcomes is held throughout the state, particularly in the Austin DMA.

Message Testing

Having cleaner, healthier air and less pollution is the top reason voters want to accelerate the growth of clean energy.

“Now, please read a few statements about why some people want to accelerate the growth of clean energy, by speeding up the development of sources of renewable energy like wind and solar power. After you read each statement, please indicate whether you agree or disagree with that statement.”

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Top Messages Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Top Messages Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

More than 80% of voters agree that Texas should pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

“Still thinking about energy, please read below a list of statements. After you read each one, please indicate whether you agree or disagree with that statement.”

Ranked by % Strongly Agree

Policy Testing

It is most important to voters that utilities are encouraged to invest more in efficiency programs to reduce energy waste.

“Now, please read a list of policies that supporters have prioritized to help expand Texas’ commitment to clean energy. After you read each one, please indicate whether you think that policy is important or not important.”

Ranked by % Very Important

Top Policies Among Key Groups

Ranked by % Very Important

Key findings from an online survey in Texas of 600 registered
voters, conducted November 30-December 5, 2021.

A majority of voters, including more than 60% of Inds,
disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as President.

“How important is it to you that a candidate for political
office share your opinion on clean energy issues? Is it...”