WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Americans are divided along party lines over whether federal stimulus programmes to boost the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic should give priority to clean energy businesses, said a survey on Thursday.
The results reveal the politics around energy and the environment as lawmakers debate whether the economic and health crises sweeping the globe are an opportunity to speed the transition to clean energy.
The poll shows 36% of Americans believe the US Congress should prioritise clean-energy industries and businesses in the next stimulus package, including 53% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans.
Another 36% believe Congress should give priority to the most productive industries and businesses regardless of environmental impact, including 24% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online from June 22-23 in the United States, and includes responses from 1,115 adults.
Congressional and White House representatives are in talks on a new stimulus package to be taken up next month. The government passed an initial $2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) round in March.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field