New Poll Data Reveals 70 Percent Public Opinion Approval for Coal-Fueled Electricity

Nov. 6, 2008

DENVER, Nov 06, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With energy demand a top issue for the incoming administration, new poll data released shows overwhelming support and optimism for the use of coal to produce electricity in the United States.
The results are based upon a recent national public opinion survey sponsored by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) and fielded in mid-October:
-- 72 percent of opinion leaders nationwide support the use of coal to generate electricity, a significant increase over the past year and the highest level of support since the group began polling nearly 10 years ago.
-- When asked the question "do you believe coal is a fuel for America's future?"- 69 percent of Americans agreed (compared to 26 percent who disagreed).
-- 72 percent agreed that new technologies would allow coal-based electricity plants to meet an ultra-low emissions profile (near zero emissions including the capture and storage of carbon dioxide) within the next 10 to 20 years.
-- 84 percent agreed developing new advanced clean coal technologies offered opportunities to create American jobs and export these technologies to other countries (65 percent).
"The fundamentals of the energy debate have changed," said Joe Lucas, vice president of communications, ACCCE. "While environmental concerns were the primary driver of the debate in the past, this poll shows that energy security concerns are more pressing for the key voters. This means that policymakers will be looking to solutions that will ensure domestic energy resources such as coal play an expanded role in meeting future energy needs."
The poll was conducted October 7-9, 2008 by AmericanPublic.us and RT Strategies. The poll interviewed 600 opinion elites nationwide. Elites are defined as adults with $80,000 or more in household income and a four-year college degree or more and a professional or managerial job title or a business owner and a high degree of involvement in politics and policy matters.