Environmental Polling Roundup - September 11, 2026

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Environmental Polling Roundup – September 11, 2026

David Gold

September 11th, 2026

Weekly Roundup

Climate Power + LCV – Voters overwhelmingly support energy affordability policies that hold corporate polluters and AI companies more accountable, modernize the grid, and bring more clean energy online [Memo, Deck]

NBC News – More than two-thirds of Americans say that they would oppose a data center in their area, and Americans don’t care much about “winning the AI race” against China [Article, Topline]

Navigator – Voters rate oil and gas and tech/AI as two of the most “corrupt” industries in the country, and believe that stronger corporate accountability is important for bringing down prices [Website, Deck, Topline]

AP-NORC + USAFacts – Trust in information from the federal government has fallen under Trump, and Americans are particularly skeptical of what the federal government says about the environment [Article, Release, Full Report, Topline]

Key Takeaways

Beyond local concerns about data centers, Americans aren’t moved by the main arguments for the U.S. accelerating AI development. Polls consistently show that Americans are feeling pessimistic about AI and strongly resist the rapid expansion of the data centers that support it. However, we’ve seen little polling about one of the most common justifications for rapid AI data center growth: that the U.S. is in an AI “race” with China and can’t afford to slow down.

New polling by NBC News, which also reaffirms that Americans believe that AI will have much more negative than positive impacts, reveals that Americans aren’t particularly bothered about the AI “race.” Only around one-quarter (27%) say that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the U.S. not being the global leader in artificial intelligence, and only around two in five (38%) say that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about China becoming the global leader in the technology.

These findings help explain how data centers have become quite so unpopular. Not only does the public have specific concerns about data centers–particularly in terms of electricity costs and water use–but they also don’t buy the supposed benefits on the other side of the ledger. Americans aren’t at all eager to accelerate AI, don’t like or trust the companies behind it, and don’t particularly care about the geopolitical contest that is being used as a rationale for the extreme pace of the data center buildout.

Voters continue to call for stronger accountability on the oil and gas industry in response to high energy costs. Multiple recent polls show that oil and gas companies are in very poor standing. Navigator finds that voters are more likely to label oil and gas as “corrupt” than any other industry, and Climate Power and LCV find that the majority of voters view oil and gas companies unfavorably. (Their poll also finds, by contrast, that voters have overwhelmingly positive opinions of the clean energy industry.)

Voters want to see policymakers get tougher on the oil and gas industry, as well as other industries that they blame for their high energy costs–including AI and utility companies. In testing different policy components of an energy affordability agenda, Climate Power and LCV find that corporate accountability measures–including cancelling tax breaks for big oil and gas companies and taxing their profits to return funds to consumers–earn widespread and intense support.

Meanwhile, Navigator finds that voters believe that “banning companies from raising prices unfairly during emergencies or shortages” is one of the most important policies that the government can enact to bring down costs for consumers.

Given these dynamics, there has never been a better time in recent history to use the oil and gas industry as a “villain” in public communications.

Good Data Points to Highlight

[Clean Energy] 77% of voters support the U.S. expanding its production and use of energy from wind, solar, and other clean energy sources [Climate Power + LCV]

[Clean Energy] 73% of voters support restarting the dozens of clean energy projects that have been cancelled in the U.S. in the past year and a half [Climate Power + LCV]

[Clean Energy] 72% of voters have favorable opinions of clean energy companies [Climate Power + LCV]

[Clean Energy] 62% of voters agree that the U.S. will get left behind if we don’t prioritize clean energy technologies like wind, solar, batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles [Climate Power + LCV]

[AI + Clean Energy] 85% of voters support taxing AI companies to pay for building cheaper, clean energy and modernization of the grid infrastructure we need to keep electricity costs down [Climate Power + LCV]

[Iran + Energy Transition] 63% of voters agree that the Iran War shows that we need to diversify our energy away from oil and gas [Climate Power + LCV]

[Oil + Gas] 86% of voters support canceling taxpayer-funded handouts and tax breaks for big oil and gas companies [Climate Power + LCV]

[Oil + Gas] 78% of voters support taxing profits for big oil and gas companies and returning those funds to consumers [Climate Power + LCV]

[Oil + Gas] More voters rank oil and gas companies among the “most corrupt” in the country than any other industry [Navigator]

[Oil + Gas] 63% of voters have unfavorable opinions of oil and gas companies, compared to just 35% who feel favorably about them [Climate Power + LCV]

Full Roundup

Voters believe that the Iran War shows the need to diversify away from oil and gas. More than three in five voters (63%) agree with the statement that “the Iran War shows that we need to diversify our energy away from oil and gas,” including 44% who “strongly” agree with this statement.

Americans feel strongly about expanding clean energy, including restarting projects that have been cancelled under Trump. Just over three-quarters of voters (77%) support the U.S. expanding its production and use of energy from wind, solar, and other clean energy sources, including roughly half (49%) who “strongly” support clean energy expansion.

Additionally, nearly three-quarters (73%) support restarting the dozens of clean energy projects that have been cancelled in the U.S. in the last year and a half–including half (50%) who “strongly” support restarting these projects.

Clean energy expansion is a particularly popular idea with “politically disillusioned” voters who dislike both parties. This key group was defined in the survey as voters who have unfavorable opinions of Trump and unfavorable opinions of both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and it makes up around one-fifth (22%) of the electorate.

Among these politically disillusioned voters, 95% support expanding clean energy and 90% support restarting the clean energy projects that have been cancelled in the last year and a half.

Voters have much more positive opinions of the clean energy industry than other companies involved in the energy debate–including oil and gas companies and electric utilities. Polls consistently show that the clean energy industry is far better-liked than the fossil fuel industry. Here, Climate Power and LCV find that clean energy companies have a massive edge in public sentiment over oil and gas as well as electric utility companies:

Clean energy companies – 72% favorable / 25% unfavorable
Renewable energy companies – 69% favorable / 26% unfavorable
Electric utility companies – 37% favorable / 62% unfavorable
Oil and gas companies – 35% favorable / 63% unfavorable

As this data shows, there is virtually no difference in voters’ positive feelings toward “clean energy” or “renewable energy” companies–indicating that advocates should feel confident using either term where applicable in public-facing communications.

And while the survey didn’t ask about AI as an industry, it finds that voters have strongly negative feelings about AI data centers: three-quarters of voters (76%) view them unfavorably, including around half (49%) who have “strongly” unfavorable opinions of AI data centers.

Voters overwhelmingly support an energy affordability platform that expands clean energy, holds oil and gas and AI companies more accountable, and modernizes the grid. When presented with a three-part plan to lower costs with clean energy, corporate accountability, and immediate ratepayer relief, voters widely support each of the three components:

[Durable Solutions] Keeping costs down in the longer-term by speeding up the use of American-made affordable clean energy and building a modern electricity grid. (87% support this component)
[Corporate Accountability] Fighting corporate greed by taxing huge AI companies to make them pay for modernizing the grid, so customers don’t get stuck with the bill, and making corporate polluters pay their fair share and holding them accountable for the environmental and public health harms they are causing. (85% support this component)
[Immediate Relief] Delivering immediate economic relief for American families now by implementing an American Utility Rate Relief Fund to support states that freeze or lower residential electricity rates for four years. (75% support this component)

Specific policies to provide immediate cost relief; invest in the grid and clean energy; and hold AI, utility, and oil and gas companies more accountable all earn large majority support. These include:

Making AI data center companies pay their fair share for the energy, water, and infrastructure they use – 96% support (84% “strongly” support)
Building a modern and reliable electric grid that meets our growing power needs – 96% support (75% “strongly”)
Cracking down on utility companies’ price gouging, excessive corporate profits, and ratepayer funding being used for lobbying – 92% support (71% “strongly”)
Canceling taxpayer-funded handouts and tax breaks for Big Oil and Gas companies – 86% support (65% “strongly”)
Taxing AI companies to pay for building cheaper, clean energy and modernization of the grid infrastructure we need to keep electricity costs down – 85% support (64% “strongly”)
Temporarily stopping construction of new data centers until safeguards are put in place that protect consumers, communities, and workers – 81% support (61% “strongly”)
Taxing profits for Big Oil and Gas companies and returning those funds to consumers – 78% support (56% “strongly”)
For families struggling with utility bills, installing solar panels and batteries that give surplus power back to the grid while reducing energy bills – 78% support (44% “strongly”)
Providing support to families to help pay their energy bills, provide energy efficiency upgrades, and stop utilities from shutting off their energy – 75% support (44% “strongly”)
Enacting a 4-year national utility rate freeze to stop rising electric bills from getting worse – 73% support (41% “strongly”)
Building more clean energy like wind and solar now, which are now among the cheapest and fastest sources of energy – 70% support (51% “strongly”)

As this data illustrates, there is particularly intense support for measures that hold corporations more accountable–such as enforcing “fair share” requirements for AI companies, cracking down on utilities’ price-gouging, and ending tax breaks for big oil and gas companies.

Voters trust Democrats over Republicans to handle most issues related to energy and the environment–with the exception of building more energy quickly. Voters are particularly likely to trust Democrats over Republicans to hold polluters and energy companies accountable, produce more clean energy, and address climate change. Below are the margins by which voters trust one party over the other when forced to choose between the two on various energy and environmental priorities:

Holding polluters accountable for polluting air and water – Democrats +24
Producing more clean energy, such as wind, solar, and batteries, in the United States – Democrats +22
Addressing climate change – Democrats +21
Holding energy companies accountable for price gouging – Democrats +14
Lowering energy bills – Democrats +8
Building a modern and resilient electric grid – Democrats +4
Building energy infrastructure faster – Republicans +3
Reducing regulations on building more energy – Republicans +15

Americans remain deeply pessimistic about AI. When asked to choose, seven in ten Americans (70%) say that they’re more worried about the technology and only 30% say that they’re more excited.

Americans believe that AI will do more harm than good to the economy and democracy. On nearly every dimension that the survey asked about–with the exceptions of health care and scientific research–Americans believe that the effects of AI will be more negative than positive. Below are Americans’ expectations about whether AI will do more good or harm in various areas:

Scientific research – 55% more good / 26% more harm
Health care – 47% more good / 30% more harm
Jobs and the workplace – 27% more good / 53% more harm
K-12 education – 27% more good / 53% more harm
Arts and entertainment – 26% more good / 49% more harm
The U.S. economy – 24% more good / 49% more harm
Higher education (colleges and universities) – 24% more good / 53% more harm
National security – 23% more good / 52% more harm
News and information – 20% more good / 58% more harm
Elections and democracy – 14% more good / 64% more harm

Americans aren’t particularly worried about the U.S. falling behind in the AI race. Only around one-quarter of Americans (27%) say that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the U.S. not being the global leader in AI, compared to 43% who say that they are “not very” or “not at all concerned” if the U.S. isn’t the global leader.

Americans are relatively more concerned about China becoming the global leader in AI, though well under half (38%) say that they’re “extremely” or “very” concerned about it.

Americans overwhelmingly say that the government needs to strengthen AI regulations, but lack trust in either party to do it. Four in five Americans (81%) believe that the government isn’t doing enough to regulate the use of AI. And when asked which party they trust more to make good policy decisions about AI, Americans slightly prefer the Democratic Party’s approach (20%) over the Republican Party’s (16%). However, a plurality (44%) say that they don’t trust either party on the issue.

Americans overwhelmingly oppose data centers in their own areas. Nearly seven in ten Americans (69%) say that they would oppose the construction of an AI data center in their own local area, including nearly half (45%) who say that they are “strongly” opposed.

This is on the higher end of data center opposition that we’ve seen in public polling, but is consistent with the level of opposition found by Heatmap last month as the data center backlash intensifies across the country.

Trust in information from the federal government has fallen under Trump, especially on environmental issues. Across 12 different issue areas, AP-NORC and USA Facts find that Americans have less trust in information from the federal government than at any other point in their tracking going back to 2019.

Americans are particularly skeptical about what the federal government says about the environment, as well as about abortion and vaccines. Below are the percentages who say that they trust what the federal government says about different issues “only a little” or “not at all,” along with the increase in distrust since AP-NORC and USA Facts last asked these questions under Biden in 2024:

Abortion – 62% trust what the federal government says “only a little” or “not at all” (+11 since 2024)
Vaccine recommendations and safety – 62% (not asked previously)
The environment – 58% (+8)
Elections and politics – 57% (+6)
Foreign affairs – 57% (+6)
Immigration – 56% (+4)
Education – 53% (+9)
The federal budget – 53% (+4)
Inflation and the cost of living – 50% (+4)
Jobs and unemployment – 48% (+5)
Health care – 46% (+4)
Crime – 46% (+2)

Scientists remain some of the strongest possible validators of news and information, despite recent dips in the public’s trust in them. Around half of Americans (49%) say that they are “extremely” or “very likely” to consider information factual if it is verified by scientists.

Validation from scientists is less persuasive to Americans now than it was in 2024 (when 53% said that they were “extremely” or “very” likely to consider information factual if it was verified by scientists) or 2020 (63%). However, scientists still remain one of the strongest validators of information in relative terms–ahead of other potential validators such as academic institutions, the government, or the media.

Below are the percentages who now say that they are at least “very” likely to consider information factual based on different conditions:

It is based in data – 60% say that they are “extremely” or “very” likely to consider the information factual
It is verified by scientists – 49%
It comes from a non-partisan source – 39%
It is verified by an academic institution – 39%
You have seen a photograph or video of it – 29%
It is verified by federal government agencies – 19%
It is verified by the media – 17%
It is verified by a business – 13%
It comes from someone you agree with politically – 12%
Your friends and family think that it is true – 12%
Most people think that it is true – 11%
It is verified by an AI bot or agent – 9%

Americans are pessimistic about the impacts of AI in the coming years, and believe that it will do particular harm to the environment. Consistent with NBC News’ findings, AP-NORC and USA Facts find that Americans anticipate mostly negative impacts from AI across different areas when asked to choose whether AI is likely to do more good or harm over the next 10 years:

You personally – 18% more to help / 26% more to hurt
The U.S. economy – 17% more to help / 40% more to hurt
Society as a whole – 14% more to help / 52% more to hurt
The environment – 11% more to help / 44% more to hurt

Voters believe that oil and gas and tech/AI are two of the most “corrupt” industries in the country. In this newly-released report, Navigator takes a deep look at voters’ perceptions of corruption in the American political system–both by political figures and by the corporations who wield power over them.

And as we previewed in an earlier weekly roundup, Navigator finds that more voters rate oil and gas among the most corrupt industries in the country than any other industry. Big tech and AI companies also rank highly for their perceived corruption, which is unsurprising given the antipathy that we’ve seen toward these companies in the data center debate.

Below are the percentages who rank different industries among the “most corrupt” in the country, in terms of using money and influence to rig the rules in their favor:

Oil and gas companies – Chosen by 47% as one of the most corrupt
Prescription drug companies – 42%
Big tech and artificial intelligence (AI) companies – 40%
Health insurance companies – 37%
Defense contractors – 24%
Large landlords and real estate companies – 23%
The media – 22%
Crypto companies – 21%
Banks and credit card companies – 20%
Grocery chains and food companies – 10%
Cable and internet providers – 7%
Airlines – 3%

Voters say that banning corporate price gouging and capping hidden fees are both “very important” for bringing down costs for Americans. When presented with various policies that could “be a step toward bringing down costs for Americans,” voters feel particularly strongly about proposals with direct connections to energy costs. These include:

Banning companies from raising prices unfairly during emergencies or shortages (85% say that this is important as a step to bring down prices, including 60% who call it “very” important)
Capping the amount corporations can charge consumers through hidden fees (82% important, 57% “very” important)

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