Majority of New Orleanians support 100% Renewable Energy

According to an opinion poll commissioned by the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a clear majority of New Orleans residents are supportive of a transition to 100% renewable energy and away from fossil fuels. ​

Overwhelming support for climate action

Chart 1. Public Support for 100% Renewable Energy

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​Responses to the poll were positive across a variety of topics related to renewables. The Alliance worked with JMC Analytics to survey residents in the city, and found that 58% of respondents want to see New Orleans run entirely on renewable and efficient energy sources, while only 11% oppose (see Chart 1).

​Furthermore, 59% of respondents favor renewable energy over a new gas plant, and 70% said they didn’t believe ratepayers should have to foot the bill for a new gas-fired plant in New Orleans East.

Most locals are aware of New Orleans vulnerability to the climate crisis, and 62% of those polled said the City of New Orleans is not doing enough to respond to climate change.

Interestingly, the strength of support for renewable energy and climate action was often correlated with the respondent’s generation. As seen with the national Sunrise movement and other youth-led climate action efforts internationally, local residents aged 18-35 offered near-unanimous interest in Community-owned solar by an 85-7% margin, while those aged 35-54 also supported Community Solar by an overwhelming 76-13% margin.
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Yet another majority of residents support local access to clean energy, and by a margin of 60-11% support incentives to encourage further renewable adoption, like those previously available through state tax credits.

While most respondents rate Entergy as providing reliable service, a majority are not happy with their energy bill, with 63% reporting Entergy charges are too high, explaining the resistance to charges for a new expensive gas plant. (see Chart 2)

Chart 2. Should Ratepayers pay for ENO's new Gas Plant (NOPSI)?

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​Overall, the message from this poll shows the voting public in New Orleans is supportive of a shift to renewable energy, with a growing interest in community and private ownership in these resources. With little opposition to transitioning away from fossil fuels and wide support for climate action, the Alliance encourages the City Council to use their regulatory authority to provide a pathway to decarbonization by 2040, while creating more opportunities for local renewable energy.
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Click Here to Download the Poll Results