New Polling on Voter Disapproval of Clean Energy Tax Credit Repeal

MEMO

To: Interested Parties

From: Climate Power and Data for Progress

Date: April 25, 2023

Re: New Polling on Voter Disapproval of Clean Energy Tax Credit Repeal

Summary

As discussions over how to avoid defaulting on our debt continue, Republicans in Congress are preparing to vote to repeal clean energy credits that were key to the Inflation Reduction Act. Data for Progress and Climate Power conducted a national survey from April 21-23, 2023, of 1,259 likely voters, gauging their opinion on the Republican plan to repeal these crucial climate provisions under threat of economic sabotage. 

We find that a majority of voters are opposed to tying together debt default and repealing clean energy tax credits, and do not want lawmakers to roll back the key climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Republican plan being voted on this week is a political loser.

Key Takeaways

Voters are opposed to rolling back key clean energy tax credits passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. Seventy-one percent of voters say they would be upset if Republicans made it more expensive for American families to make their homes energy-efficient. Just over half of voters (51 percent) also say they would be upset if Republicans rolled back key tax credits and financial incentives for clean energy production and job growth. Moreover, 48 percent oppose cuts to government funding for the research and development of new, American-made clean energy technologies. 

A plurality of voters (by a +6-point margin) also say that Republicans should not roll back the key components of the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes Democrats by a +53-point margin and Independents by a +16-point margin. Nearly a quarter of Republicans (23 percent) also say that Republicans in Congress should not roll back key components of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Conclusion

Voters support the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate provisions and oppose gutting the tax credits that will spur American clean energy production and help families reduce their home energy bills. Democrats should emphasize that repealing the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act would be detrimental to American families and slow the progress we have made on clean energy manufacturing and job creation.

Survey Methodology

From April 21 to 23, 2023, Data for Progress and Climate Power conducted a survey of 1,259 likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, geography, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points.