New Jerseyans Strongly Back Solar and Wind Expansion Amidst Rising Utility Cost Concerns, Stockton Poll Finds
Key Insights
A Stockton University poll reveals that 57% of New Jersey residents prioritize expanding renewable energy, especially solar (64% support), over increasing fossil fuel production.
Despite strong support for clean energy and carbon neutrality goals, 36% of New Jerseyans consider reducing utility bills their top energy policy concern.
Residents largely blame utility companies and state elected officials for rising energy costs, demanding accountability and relief from financial burdens.
While supporting the state's clean energy transition, only 21% of New Jerseyans are very likely to consider purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle for personal use.
A recent poll conducted by Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy indicates that New Jersey residents overwhelmingly favor the expansion of renewable energy sources, with solar power garnering the highest support to increase the state’s energy supply. The survey, conducted from June 18-25 among 606 New Jersey residents with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points, reveals a nuanced public sentiment prioritizing both clean energy transition and affordability in state energy policy.
The poll found that 57% of New Jerseyans consider expanding renewable energy sources like solar and wind more important than increasing fossil fuels, which only 30% prioritized. When asked about specific energy sources to boost supply, solar power led with 64% support, followed by wind at 41%, and nuclear at 33%. This strong backing for renewables, particularly solar, cuts across political affiliations, with 80% of Democrats and 69% of Independents supporting solar expansion, while Republicans showed a preference for nuclear power at 59%.
Despite the clear preference for renewables, affordability remains a paramount concern. A significant 36% of residents identified reducing utility bills as the most critical energy challenge for the state. Seventy percent reported increased electric bills over the past year, with 38% citing a significant rise. Residents largely attribute these escalating costs to utility companies (52%) and state elected officials (47%), highlighting a demand for accountability from both private and public sectors.
“New Jerseyans want action to address the energy affordability crisis, which will only intensify as the state struggles to meet surging demand,” stated Alyssa Maurice, Hughes Center head of research. “But it’s also clear that residents want to continue the clean energy transition.” This sentiment is further supported by 60% of residents deeming it important for New Jersey to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. However, a disconnect emerges regarding personal adoption of clean energy technologies; only 21% of respondents expressed high likelihood of considering a hybrid or electric vehicle for their next car purchase, with 48% indicating low likelihood.
The economic impact of climate change policies also divides opinion, with 32% believing they help the economy and 31% contending they hurt it. This split underscores the ongoing debate on balancing environmental imperatives with economic realities. The poll’s findings provide a robust public mandate for New Jersey to accelerate its clean energy transition, while simultaneously addressing the pressing issue of energy affordability for its citizens.