Environmental Polling Roundup – October 17, 2025
Headlines
[FL] Conservatives for Clean Energy – Solar is the most popular energy source in Florida, and Florida voters respond strongly to messaging in favor of clean energy that focuses on grid security and energy independence [Release, Deck]
[AR, MO, MS, OH, PA] Conservative Energy Network – Voters in states served by the PJM and MISO power grids strongly support new grid investments; increased reliability and lower electricity costs are both compelling rationales [Combined Deck, PJM Region Deck, PJM Region Topline, MISO Region Deck, MISO Region Topline]
Key Takeaways
The war on solar could be a real liability for the administration, even in pro-Trump areas–if people hear about it. The decision to undercut the clean energy industry, and solar in particular, comes with clear political risks for Trump and for Republicans in Congress who have gone along with his attacks on the country’s fastest-growing energy source.
Solar is the single most well-liked energy source nationwide, and the two biggest states that Trump carried in 2024, Texas and Florida, rank second and third in the country in solar power generation. (And right behind them are a host of swing states, including Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, and Georgia.) Recent polling by Conservatives for Clean Energy in Florida sheds further light on the political dynamics of solar in a pro-Trump state that has also invested heavily in solar power. Voters in the state, at a time when around 80% report that their utility bills are rising, say that Florida should emphasize solar power more than any other energy source.
There is a clear rift here between Trump’s policies and the voters and geographies that he has counted on for his support, and it comes on an issue that directly impacts their cost of living. It’s therefore imperative for clean energy advocates to raise awareness of the administration’s efforts to block solar power from getting onto the grid at a time when Americans are already struggling to afford their utility bills.
Grid modernization is overwhelmingly popular across the political spectrum. Investments in the electricity grid have long ranked as one of the most popular energy policy proposals with voters. Going back to early in Biden’s term, for example, modernization of the electricity grid ranked as one of the most widely supported components of his “Build Back Better” agenda.
Surveying voters across five states that Trump carried in 2024 (AR, MO, MS, OH, and PA), the Conservative Energy Network now finds that large majorities across geographies continue to support investments in the grid. And underlining how bipartisan of a priority it is, their polls find that Republicans in these states are even more likely to support investment in the electricity grid than Democrats. Importantly, most voters also say that they would support new high-voltage power lines being built in their own areas.
Full Roundup
[FL] Conservatives for Clean Energy – Solar is the most popular energy source in Florida, and Florida voters respond strongly to messaging in favor of clean energy that focuses on grid security and energy independence [Release, Deck]
The overwhelming majority of Floridians report rising utility bills. Mirroring what we’re seeing in the rest of the country, around four-fifths of Florida voters (82%) say that their energy and utility costs are getting more expensive.
Florida voters, including Republicans, overwhelmingly support clean energy. When asked how they feel about clean energy in general, more than three-fourths of Florida voters (78%) say that they support it. This includes virtually all Democrats (96%), four in five independents (80%), and more than three in five Republicans (63%).
Solar power in particular is popular in Florida. More Florida voters say that the state should increase its emphasis on solar power than on any other energy source:
- Solar power – 57% more emphasis / 13% less emphasis
- Nuclear power – 45% more emphasis / 21% less emphasis
- Natural gas – 44% more emphasis / 16% less emphasis
- Wind power – 44% more emphasis / 31% less emphasis
- Oil – 29% more emphasis / 33% less emphasis
Floridians respond strongly to pro-renewables messaging that focuses on grid security and energy independence. The survey presented voters with four different messages in support of renewable energy, finding that messages about grid security and U.S. energy independence are particularly resonant.
Below are the four messages tested, along with the percentages who say that each message makes them “much more likely” to support accelerating the development and use of clean energy in Florida.
(GRID SECURITY) “Renewable energy can make our power grid stronger, providing backup power sources in emergencies. A strong grid means fewer outages and better protection against cyber and physical threats.” – 41% “much more likely”
(RUSSIA & CHINA) “Expanding renewable energy sources reduces reliance on foreign energy and strengthens our energy independence. With more U.S. based energy, we can better defend ourselves against global energy manipulation from countries like Russia and China.” – 40% “much more likely”
(GREEN JOBS) “Accelerating the growth of cleaner energy in Florida would position our state to be a national leader in the competition for economic development. Currently, more than 25,000 Floridians work in clean energy or related industries.” – 30% “much more likely”
(DRIVE INNOVATION) “Florida companies investing more in cleaner energy sources would give businesses and consumers more choices than traditional oil and gas fuels in order to drive innovation and competitive pricing.” – 30% “much more likely”
[AR, MO, MS, OH, PA] Conservative Energy Network – Voters in states served by the PJM and MISO power grids strongly support new grid investments; increased reliability and lower electricity costs are both compelling rationales [Combined Deck, PJM Region Deck, PJM Region Topline, MISO Region Deck, MISO Region Topline]
Voters across the political spectrum support investments to improve the electricity grid. Surveying two states that are part of the PJM grid (OH and PA) and three states served by MISO (AR, MO, and MS), the Conservative Energy Network finds widespread and bipartisan support for new grid investment.
When asked if they support making investments in the country’s electricity transmission grid “to improve reliability, reduce costs, unlock economic growth in communities, and meet future power needs,” voters in the PJM states support the idea by a 78%-3% margin and voters in the MISO states support it by a 75%-5% margin. This includes about half of voters (52% in the PJM states and 51% in the MISO states) who “strongly” support the idea.
Support for grid investment also spans partisan lines in both regions, with Republicans supporting the idea even more than Democrats. In the PJM states, 78% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 82% of Republicans support investments in the grid. And in the MISO states, 71% of Democrats, 70% of independents, and 82% of Republicans support grid investments.
Voters say that they would support new high-voltage lines in their own areas. In both regions, voters are supportive enough of grid improvements that they would support new power lines being built in their own areas.
In the PJM states, 56% of voters say that they would support a new high-voltage power line in their area while just 16% say that they would oppose it. In the MISO states, 59% of voters say that they would support a new high-voltage power line in their area and just 12% say that they would oppose it.
Improved reliability and lower costs are both strong rationales for grid investment. The surveys tested four different messages in support of new grid investment and found that a message about reducing blackouts was the most persuasive. Below are the four messages tested, along with the percentages in each region who say that the message makes them “much more likely” to support upgrading or expanding the grid.
(PREVENT BLACKOUTS) “A stronger, smarter electricity transmission grid protects us from blackouts, cyberattacks, and natural disasters – keeping the lights on when it matters most.” – 41% “much more likely” in the PJM states and 46% “much more likely” in the MISO states
(AMERICAN ENERGY) “Upgrading our electricity transmission grid will allow us to produce more energy here in our own state, reducing dependence on foreign countries. It is a key step toward future energy independence.” – 35% in the PJM states and 40% in the MISO states
(POSITIVE IMPACTS FOR AMERICANS) “Upgrading the grid is worth it if it creates good-paying jobs for American workers, boosts economic development in communities, and uses American-made materials – even if it costs a little more – because it keeps our country strong.” – 33% in the PJM states and 36% in the MISO states
(LOWER COSTS) “A modern electricity transmission grid helps open the door for more competition and innovation in energy, giving consumers more options with lower prices and better service.” – 32% in the PJM states and 35% in the MISO states
While the argument about lowering costs didn’t test as particularly persuasive in this messaging battery, voters in both regions named lower costs as one of the top rationales for grid investment in a follow-up question later in the survey.
Specifically, when asked to choose the most important reason for supporting new power lines or grid upgrades, voters in the PJM states rank costs just ahead of reliability:
- Lowering electricity bills – 34%
- Improving reliability – 31%
- Promoting long-term economic growth in the community – 14%
- Increasing national security – 10%
- Creating local jobs – 4%
And in the MISO states, lowering electricity bills also ranks as the top rationale for grid upgrades when voters are asked to choose one reason:
- Lowering electricity bills – 39%
- Improving reliability – 28%
- Promoting long-term economic growth in the community – 13%
- Increasing national security – 10%
- Creating local jobs – 4%
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