From the Topeka Capital-Journal
Results of a new poll announced Wednesday indicate that nearly nine of 10 Kansans believe there are solid arguments supporting the proposition that greater reliance on renewable energy strengthens national security.
The survey conducted for the Climate and Energy Project, a Lawrence organization devoted to advancing remedies in the Midwest to global warming, showed a majority of Kansas registered voters in the polling group support federal renewable energy and national energy efficiency standards.
“A federal renewable energy standard would result in a magnitude of economic and wind development that would create opportunities for, not just this generation of Kansans, but for this century,” said Nancy Jackson, director of the Climate and Energy Project.
She encouraged the Kansas congressional delegation to support legislation on renewable energy and efficiency to improve national security, the environment and economic development.
Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, said the state took a big stride forward with legislation mandating all Kansas utilities generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Lawmakers also approved a mechanism to help small wind- and solar-power producers get that electricity on the grid,he said. New legislation imposes energy efficiency standards for state buildings and on cars purchased by the state.
In exchange, of course, the Legislature and Gov. Mark Parkinson agreed to allow construction of an 895-megawatt coal plant in Holcomb. State regulators had blocked issuance of a permit required for a coal project sought by Sunflower Electric Power Corp., of Hays.
“It’s a major step forward in the quest for a comprehensive energy plan and energy security for the state,” Morris said.
Highlights of the April 26-29 survey of 600 Kansans:
- Eighty-eight percent say greater use of renewalbe energy resources, such as wind and solar, would improve the nation’s security.
- By a 5-to-1 ratio, people in the survey say the federal government should adopt rules requiring utility companies to generate more power from renewable sources.
- Federal energy efficiency standards mandating utility companies help customers make better use of existing energy supplies are supported by a 3-to-1 margin.
- Eighty percent of those in the poll say investing in renewable energy creates jobs.
- Three out of four Kansans would be willing to pay up to $5 more every month on their energy bill if it resulted in expansion of renewable energy.
The survey for the Climate and Energy Project was conducted by the firm of Ayres, McHenry and Associates. It sampled registered votes selected at ramdom from across the state.
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