ANNAPOLIS, MD — A new poll just released today shows overwhelming support among Maryland voters for legislation that would dramatically expand the state’s commitment to clean renewable energy, including voters in politically critical senate districts.
The poll, carried out by OpinionWorks, found that 74% of voters in District 38 on the Eastern Shore support expanding the state’s renewable energy requirement to 50%, and in District 8, northeastern Baltimore County, 75% of voters expressed support. This increase would double the state’s commitment to wind and solar power while creating thousands of new jobs.
These findings add momentum to the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2018, which would increase the state’s current Renewable Portfolio Standard of 25% renewable electricity by 2020 to 50% renewable electricity by 2030. The policy also aims to grow clean energy jobs in Maryland by expanding renewable electricity generation and investing in workforce development.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act is shaping up to be one of the biggest environmental bills in the upcoming legislative session. Over 600 organizations statewide support the bill, including the Maryland State Conference of the NAACP, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, CCAN Action Fund, Interfaith Power and Light, Ecumenical Leaders Group, 1199SEIU, and many more. The groups will hold a rally outside the capitol building steps at 11:00am on Wednesday, January 10, with a first-ever electric car caravan encircling the State House in support of the bill.
Districts 8 and 38 are expected to have close senate races in the 2018 elections, and this poll shows that in both districts more than 30% of voters will switch which candidate they vote for based on whether the candidate supports the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
The two campaign managers of the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative, Nikki Richards and Jamie DeMarco, commented on the importance of these polls: “The Clean Energy Jobs Act has overwhelming support throughout Maryland and in key legislative districts,” said Richards. “We need to listen to Maryland residents and pass this legislation in 2018,” said DeMarco.<
“These strong numbers indicate that voters have an appetite, almost an impatience, for renewable energy in Maryland, including in these swing legislative districts,” said Steve Raabe, owner of OpinionWorks.
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