California Lawmakers Say New Poll Shows Voters Want Action on Energy Costs

Policymakers point to strong voter support for expanding clean energy, modernizing the grid, and giving consumers more energy choice 

SACRAMENTO, CA—New statewide polling shows California voters strongly support practical solutions to lower electricity costs and improve grid reliability, and state leaders are taking note.  

The poll, conducted by national public opinion research firm Bold Decision on behalf of Advanced Energy United, finds that California likely voters overwhelmingly view clean energy as an affordable, practical solution to the state’s energy needs.  

A supermajority of voters (80%) agree that renewable and clean energy technologies help Californians save money, while 50% say encouraging more renewable and clean energy would make electricity costs lower, compared to just 25% who say it would make costs higher.  

The findings also show strong support for expanding and modernizing energy infrastructure, giving consumers greater access to their energy usage data, encouraging both large and small energy generation projects, lowering overall electricity demand, and enabling consumers to use technologies such as solar, batteries, smart thermostats, and heat pumps to lower their energy costs.  

Here is what California decisionmakers are saying about the poll:   

“Energy affordability has to be part of the conversation. Californians are paying more for electricity, while demand is growing and our grid must keep up. We need to keep investing in clean energy, but we also need to make sure we have the infrastructure, storage, and transmission to actually deliver that energy reliably and at a cost people can afford,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian.  

“We’ve long known that clean energy is essential in the fight against climate change. California voters now recognize that clean energy will also drive down costs,” said Senator Jerry McNerney. “For years, California has been a global leader in clean energy technology – from solar and wind power to battery storage, green hydrogen, and fusion energy. This survey shows that voters want the state to strengthen its commitment to a clean and affordable future, even as the federal government clings to the dirty and costly fuels of the past.” 

“Communities like the Inland Empire are already experiencing the greatest impacts of climate change and poor air quality, and too often, the families shouldering those environmental burdens are also the families who can least afford higher costs,” said Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy. “We can and must pursue pragmatic solutions that protect both our environment and household budgets. Investing in zero-emission trucks, clean energy technology, and the infrastructure needed to support them will help us reduce pollution, strengthen our energy future, and ensure that California’s transition to a cleaner economy delivers real benefits for working families.”  

“California’s clean energy goals are incredibly ambitious and incredibly important,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee. “We need to continue making smart policies to build our clean energy future and lower costs for California families.”  

The survey findings are publicly available at CAEnergyFuture.org.