A recent survey suggests a decline in American support for tax incentives related to green energy initiatives, including solar panels and electric vehicles, alongside renewable energy sources like wind power. This shift, observed in recent years, appears to largely stem from reduced enthusiasm among Democrats and independents.
The poll, conducted by the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, highlights a notable dip in endorsement for such initiatives. Whereas Democrats have consistently backed these measures, recent findings indicate growing skepticism within their ranks, paralleled by dwindling support from independents. Meanwhile, the Republican stance, historically less favorable towards green energy incentives, remains relatively unchanged.
This change in public sentiment coincides with significant regulatory shifts introduced by former President Donald Trump’s administration, which included significant rollbacks on energy and climate-related policies and staff reductions in federal departments overseeing these areas. While some Democrats and independents have become less supportive of green energy policies, they do not necessarily favor the Trump administration’s approach to energy more than before.
In correlation, the survey reveals that only 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s management of climate issues. This figure aligns closely with his general approval ratings, showing notable divides along party lines. In particular, the survey noted waning enthusiasm for tax credits tied to electric vehicle purchases among Democrats—dropping from 70% a year ago to 58%—and a more pronounced decrease among independents, from 49% to 28%. Republican support for these credits held steady at around 25%.
Some Democrats and independents cite concerns about the actual efficiency of renewable energy sources and the upfront energy costs associated with electric vehicle production as reasons for their reservations. JD Johnson, a Democrat from Virginia, suggested that advancements in reducing emissions from traditional vehicles might diminish the necessity for such tax incentives.
Concerns about the efficiency and readiness of solar technology also cloud support for associated tax credits. Glenn Savage, an independent voter from South Carolina, argues that more focus should be placed on improving solar panels’ efficiency before offering tax breaks to consumers.
Despite these attitudes, experts maintain that shifting towards renewable energy and away from fossil fuels is crucial to mitigating environmental impacts. However, many federal clean technology projects initiated under President Joe Biden’s Democratic government have been halted or slowed under Trump’s directive, particularly in the offshore wind sector.
The poll also identified a recession in favorable attitudes toward the expansion of offshore wind farms—from 59% in 2022 to just 44% currently. Support for solar panel farm expansion saw a drop as well. According to Talbot Andrews, a scholar from Cornell University, economic concerns may lead individuals to deprioritize environmental issues.
Offshore drilling and coal mining, favored by Trump, see lower levels of support. Only around one-third of Americans advocate for increased offshore fossil fuel drilling, and even fewer (about one-quarter) for coal mining. Republicans show a stronger inclination toward these energy routes compared to Democrats.
Aside from renewable energy, bipartisan favor remains strong for energy-efficient home appliances and certifications like the Energy Star program, despite recent regulatory threats. A high percentage of Democrats and a notable number of Republicans back consumer rebates for such efficient appliances.
Confidence in federal oversight of environmental safety and food supply also remains tepid. A minority of Americans express high confidence in the government’s capacity to ensure clean water, air, and food safety, further complicated by administrative changes under President Trump, including policy rollbacks affecting pollution controls and the aforementioned workforce reductions.
This survey of 1,158 adults, conducted by NORC from June 5-9, taps into the AmeriSpeak Panel and aims to be representative of the national populace, with a margin of error of about 4 percentage points.