Wide margins of Wisconsin voters say that they want to see Wisconsin meet more of its energy needs through clean, renewable sources like wind, solar and bioenergy and energy efficiency, according to a recent bipartisan poll. They are also more likely to support candidates this who say they will promote more use of clean renewable energy like wind and solar power. The polling was conducted July 26 through Aug. 3 by a bipartisan research team comprised of Public Opinion Strategies (R) and Fairbank, Maslin, Metz and Associates (D). The margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent, with more than 400 Wisconsin voters representing a cross section of demographics including political affiliation, race, sex and locality. The polling was done was part of nonpartisan outreach efforts to broaden the conversation on energy issues between candidates and voters throughout the Midwest.

1. Voter Attitudes Toward
Energy Issues in Wisconsin
220-3956
Key Findings from a Statewide Voter Survey
August 2014

2. 1
Bipartisan Research Team
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) – a national Democratic
opinion research firm with offices in Oakland, Los Angeles and Madison,
Wisconsin – has specialized in public policy oriented opinion research since
1981. The firm has assisted hundreds of political campaigns at every level of the
ballot – from President to City Council – with opinion research and strategic
guidance. FM3 also provides research and strategic consulting to public
agencies, businesses and public interest organizations nationwide.
Public Opinion Strategies is the largest Republican polling firm in the country.
Since the firm’s founding in 1991, they have completed more than 10,000
research projects, interviewing more than five million Americans across the
United States. Media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC News,
CNBC, and National Public Radio rely on Public Opinion Strategies to conduct
their polling. The firm conducts polling on behalf of hundreds of political
campaigns, as well as trade associations, not-for-profit organizations,
government entities and industry coalitions throughout the nation.
Dave Metz – FM3
Lori Weigel – POS
As a bipartisan team, FM3 and Public Opinion Strategies have researched a wide range of issues
for nearly a decade, in particular on conservation-related initiatives and policies. Together, the two
firms have jointly conducted research on behalf of political campaigns, businesses, not-for-profit
organizations and public agencies in 42 states and nationally.

3. 2
Methodology
• Survey conducted July 26 –
August 3, 2014
• Interviews on landline and
wireless phones with 413
randomly-selected Wisconsin
registered voters
• Margin of sampling error of
+/-4.9%

4. 3
Key Findings
*Support for clean energy sources has
remained consistently high for six years
Energy Efficiency – 95%, Solar – 88%, Wind – 83%
* Voters believe renewable energy
and energy efficiency create jobs
* Voters favor a clean energy candidate
*Voters want to see expansion of
Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard

5. 4
Voters support increasing the use of many
sources of energy, with varying intensity.
Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or
oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
79%
67%
58%
50%
45%
18%
17%
14%
46%
16%
22%
25%
38%
44%
34%
31%
37%
38%
8%
7%
7%
8%
11%
30%
24%
5%
6%
20%
22%
5%
33%
6%
Total
Supp.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Total
Opp.
95% 4%
88% 11%
83% 14%
88% 5%
88% 10%
52% 15%
48% 50%
51% 46%
84% 10%
Energy efficiency
Solar
Wind
Hydropower
^Natural gas
Biomass
Nuclear
^Coal
Biomass, energy from plant
matter like switchgrass, wood
waste, and remains of crops
after harvest

6. 5
From year to year there have been only minor
variations in support for clean energy…
Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or
oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.
Total
Supp.
Total
Opp.
88% 11%
89% 7%
86% 11%
83% 14%
85% 11%
82% 16%
84% 10%
81% 9%
67%
53%
59%
58%
60%
57%
46%
35%
22%
36%
27%
25%
25%
25%
38%
46%
8%
7%
7%
5%
8%
5%
6%
6%
6%
8%
5% 6%
10%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
Solar
Wind
Biomass, energy from
plant matter like
switchgrass, wood
waste, and remains of
crops after harvest

7. 6
…and support for coal and nuclear
Total
Supp.
Total
Opp.
88% 10%
85% 12%
85% 11%
48% 50%
53% 41%
56% 35%
51% 46%
50% 44%
49% 45%
remains lower by comparison.
45%
43%
47%
Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that
source of energy to meet your state’s future needs.
17%
19%
33%
14%
13%
18%
44%
42%
38%
31%
34%
23%
37%
37%
31%
8%
10%
7%
30%
21%
15%
24%
27%
22%
20%
20%
20%
22%
17%
23%
7%
9%
6%
5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
2014
2012
2010
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
^Natural Gas
Nuclear
^Coal

8. 7
Voters would rather reduce the need for fossil
fuels by expanding the use of energy
efficiency and renewables.
Which of the following do you think should be the highest priority for
meeting America’s energy needs?
64%
29%
7%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
Reducing our need for oil, natural gas
and coal by increasing energy efficiency
and expanding our use of clean and
renewable energy
Drilling and digging for more oil, natural
gas, and coal within the United States
Both/Neither/DK/NA
OR

9. 8
67%
27%
6%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
Developing more diverse and affordable
transportation choices, including buses,
light rail, and cars that run on cleaner
fuels – such as biofuels and electric cars
Developing new oil fields and building
pipelines, in order to get more Canadian
tar sands petroleum to fuel our cars and
trucks
Both/Neither/DK/NA
OR
Likewise, they prefer developing
transportation choices to pursuing
more fossil fuels.
Which of the following do you think should be the highest priority for improving
transportation in the United States?

10. 9
Voters in Illinois, Minnesota, and
Wisconsin all back increases in the
renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
State Current RPS
Support for Increased
RPS
Illinois 25% by 2025
74% support a
40% RPS
Wisconsin 10% by 2015
73% support a
30% RPS
Minnesota 30% by 2025
70% support a
50% RPS
I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in [STATE]. After you hear each
one, please tell me whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose.

11. 10
Voters believe increasing the use of
renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects will create new jobs….
Increasing the use of clean,
renewable energy sources like
wind and solar power….
Energy efficiency projects like
weatherizing and insulating
buildings, and upgrading
appliances and technology in
homes and businesses….
67%
14%
10%
9%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
Will create new jobs
in Wisconsin
Will not affect jobs in
Wisconsin
Will cost jobs in
Wisconsin
All/None/DK
81%
Believe It
Either Does
Not Affect/
Creates Jobs
74%
15%
4%
8%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
89%
Believe It
Either Does
Not Affect/
Creates Jobs

12. 11
…and reduce energy costs.
Increasing the use of clean,
renewable energy sources like
wind and solar power….
Energy efficiency projects like
weatherizing and insulating
buildings, and upgrading
appliances and technology in
homes and businesses….
46%
22%
21%
12%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
Will reduce energy
costs in Wisconsin
Will not affect energy
costs in Wisconsin
Will increase energy
costs in Wisconsin
All/None/DK
67%
13%
14%
6%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
68%
Believe It
Either Does
Not Affect/
Reduces
Costs
80%
Believe It
Either Does
Not Affect/
Reduces
Costs

13. 12
Voters are rejecting utility efforts to block
consumers’ access to renewable energy.
Strng. Agr. Smwt. Agr. Smwt. Disagr. Strng. Disagr. DK/NA
68%
5%
25%
7%
3%
14%
3%
73%
0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I should have the right to put
solar on my own home and pay
for it how I choose.
Utilities should be able to block
residential customers from
installing solar power, energy
storage and other similar
systems on their property.
93% 6%
12% 87%

14. 13
No matter how you ask it, Wisconsin voters
Total
Supp.
Total
Opp.
86% 12%
73% 24%
67% 29%
want more renewable energy.
Strng. Supp. Smwt. Supp. Smwt. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA
65%
45%
37%
20%
28%
30%
6%
9%
14%
6%
15%
14%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Making it more affordable for residents
and businesses to install solar power
at their homes or businesses
Requiring that Wisconsin get 30% of
its electricity from renewable sources
Requiring utilities to double the
amount of renewable energy they
provide
I would like to read you some ideas related to energy that might be proposed by people in Wisconsin. Please tell me
whether it sounds like something you would support or oppose.

15. 14
In thinking about the election for state office in your area later this year, I am going to
read you descriptions of different candidates. Please tell me which candidate you
think you would be most likely to vote for:
70%
23%
7%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
A candidate who wants to promote more
use of clean, renewable energy – like wind
and solar power – in Wisconsin
A candidate who wants to continue to rely
on coal, natural gas or nuclear power to
meet Wisconsin's energy needs
Both/Neither/DK/NA
OR
Voters favor a candidate who wants a
transition to renewables.
.

16. 15
Most Wisconsin voters would like to see some
action on global warming.
From what you know about global warming, which of the following
four statements is closest to your opinion:
.
30%
24%
26%
17%
0% 15% 30%
Global warming has been established
as a serious problem, and immediate
action is necessary
There is enough evidence that global
warming is taking place that some
action should be taken
We don’t know enough about global
warming, and more research is
necessary before we take action
Concern about global warming is
unwarranted
54%
Believe
Some
Action
Should be
Taken

17. 16
Wisconsin voters approve of limiting carbon
pollution – even with higher utility bills.
Limiting the amount of carbon
pollution from power plants
57%
27%
8%
6%
2%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
DK/NA
Would you approve or disapprove of a
proposal that would require companies
to reduce greenhouse gases that cause
global warming, even if it would mean
higher utility bills for consumers to pay
for the changes?
25%
32%
16%
24%
3%
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75% 90%
Strongly approve
Somewhat approve
Somewhat disapprove
Strongly disapprove
DK/NA
Total
Approve
57%
Total
Disapprove
40%
Total
Support
84%
Total
Oppose
14%

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