State Polls: Voters Opposed to Federal Cap-and-Trade System

The National Federation of Independent Business has released 16 state-based surveys further highlighting the political unpopularity and economic uncertainty behind the proposed program. The research was designed to question state and national participants regarding economic, employment and other political concerns pertaining to Congressional action on energy and environmental policies.

"Voters have spoken across the country and their concerns are clearly based on the burdensome economic problems that hit them at home – high unemployment, slow economic growth and rising energy prices," said Dan Danner, NFIB's president and CEO. "The time is not right – either politically or economically – for a federal cap-and-trade program that will cause more harm than good to the voters who need the most help, and are the most impacted."

Voters were polled in 16 states, which included areas such as Florida and Michigan, where unemployment rates are in the double digits. With respect to the potential impact of a federal cap-and-trade system, voters in the states believed that cap-and-trade would actually result in the loss of jobs. The cost of energy was another concern, with state voters believing cap-and-trade will raise energy prices. Finally, more voters in each state stated they would be less likely than more likely to support a candidate who favored a federal cap-and-trade system.

Key findings among national small business owners and managers include:

• 66 percent of small business owners and managers oppose a federal cap-and-trade system while 24 percent are in favor of such a system.

• 54 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system would lead to more job losses while 15 percent believe it would have no effect and 17 percent believe it would create jobs.

• 71 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system would increase energy costs while 14 percent say it would have no effect and only 5 percent believe it would lower costs.

• 58 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system will limit economic growth while 14 percent say it will have no effect and 14 percent believe it will increase growth.

Key highlights among voters nationally include:

• 52 percent of voters oppose a federal cap-and-trade system while 37 percent are in favor of such a system.

• 42 percent of voters believe a federal cap-and-trade system would lead to more job losses while 22 percent believe it would have no effect and 25 percent believe it would create jobs.

• 57 percent of voters believe a federal cap-and-trade system would increase energy costs while 16 percent say it would have no effect and only 15 percent believe it would lower costs.

• 46 percent of voters believe a federal cap-and-trade system will limit economic growth while 21 percent say it will have no effect and 23 percent believe it will increase growth.

"The results of these polls show that there is little domestic support for a U.S. cap-and-trade system in view of the economic impact and the additional costs that would be required by businesses, consumers and households,” Danner said. “With a vast majority of small businesses and voters stating the economy is the number one issue, it appears we simply cannot afford, and should not seek to implement, such a risky, unpopular system that shows no potential for positive economic results. As small business owners and voters clearly believe, according to these surveys, cap-and-trade would more likely result in significant economic harm, higher energy prices and more lost jobs."