SunEdison’s poll result shows 74% of Maryland voters support the Clean Energy Jobs Act

Sun Edison, Inc. and the Maryland Climate Coalition have released poll results showing that Maryland residents support legislation that would expand clean energy and clean energy jobs in the state.

The Clean Energy Jobs Act promotes Maryland’s clean energy standard and entails the state to generate 25% of electricity by 2020 from clean sources. The act also sets aside millions of dollars for investment in Maryland’s clean energy workforce and job training programs. The poll results came just before the bill’s hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee where solar workers, business leaders, health and civic groups are expected to corroborate the bill.

Delegate Bill Frick, lead House sponsor of the bill in a statement said that “Marylanders clearly recognize that our future lies in clean energy. The Clean Energy Jobs Act is not only a win for our economy and environment; it’s the type of policy that Maryland voters overwhelmingly want. “

“Once voters understood that clean energy is cost competitive with fossil fuels, 77 percent said they were in favor of policies to quickly adopt more clean energy in Maryland,” said Melanie Santiago-Mosier, SunEdison’s director of Government Affairs. “In addition, the Clean Energy Jobs Act will create thousands of new jobs in Maryland’s clean energy sector. We’re excited to find that the overwhelming majority of Maryland’s voters support clean energy, clean energy jobs, and the bill.”

Here is the poll result:-

• Nearly three-quarters of Maryland voters, 71 percent, support expanding Maryland’s clean energy standard to 25 percent by 2020, even if it would add up to 50 cents per month to their electric bill. Only 24 percent, oppose the policy.
• The support for expanding Maryland’s clean energy standard increases to 74 percent when coupled with provisions to train more Marylanders for careers in clean energy.
• Support crosses political party lines. A majority of Republicans, Democrats and Independents support the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

There is wide support for this proposal across the state—in rural, urban and suburban communities. Support is no lower than 63 percent throughout the state, and some areas peak at 81 percent in favor of the bill.