Latest poll results from Campaign for Vermont show that the Legislature’s approach to climate policy is out of touch with what Vermonters want
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Campaign for Vermont Prosperity (CFV) released poll results exploring Vermonter’s opinions on climate change, the Paris Climate Accords, and the Legislature’s Clean Heat Standard.
The poll found that Vermonters are generally supportive of carbon reduction strategies to address climate change. Two-thirds approve of the state aiming for the Paris Climate Accord target of carbon-neutrality by 2050. However, most (50%) didn’t want to see any increased tax burden to support meeting that target.
While Vermonters support incentives for electric vehicles and heat pumps, the Legislature’s Clean Heat Standard legislation and the Climate Council’s tax on transportation fuels found stiff opposition. Two-thirds of respondents opposed both policies; most strongly opposed them. Further, 91% believe that carbon taxes on fuels are regressive and would disproportionately hurt low and middle-income families.
“The Legislature is out of step with Vermonters on the approach to climate change,” said CFV President Pat McDonald “their efforts in the last several years have focused on carbon reductions using punitive measures and tax increases. Vermonters are saying very clearly that is not the path forward.”
The poll found that nearly three-quarters of Vermonters believe that the state should focus on climate resiliency, addressing the local impacts of climate change, over carbon reduction.
The final set of results will be released by CFV next week and will look at other recent initiatives from the Legislature and how they fare in public opinion.
CFV POLL 1: CFV releases public opinions on governor and Legislature in new poll
CFV POLL 2: CFV Poll: Vermonters identify housing, cost of living, public safety as top priorities
The results released today can be found at CampaignForVermont.org/news.
Methodology
A bipartisan team of pollsters conducted a survey of 400 adults (18 years of age and over) in the State of Vermont, from November 14 – 16, 2023.
This poll of 400 adults has an accuracy of +/- 4.9% at a 95% confidence interval. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.
A multi-modal approach was employed via live telephone calls and self-administered text messages. The live telephone interviews were conducted by professional interviewers with respondents contacted by both landline phone and cell phone. The text message respondents were sent a personalized invitation to complete the survey on a secure online platform. Interview selection was random, and interviews were stratified by county, media market, race/ethnicity, age, gender as reported by the United States Census Bureau.
CFV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to the vision of a more prosperous Vermont and a growing middle class. They seek to accomplish these goals by reconnecting Vermonters to their government and advocating for more transparent policy-making.
Source: 12.12.2023. Montpelier, Vermont – Campaign for Vermont Prosperity
