Siena poll: 6 in 10 NYers say energy affordability more important now than reducing emissions

ALBANY — Six in 10 New Yorkers agree that keeping energy affordable is currently more important than lowering greenhouse gas emissions, according to a poll released Wednesday.

While 4 in 10 state residents say climate change is harming people now, New Yorkers are split on whether the state should continue to use fossil fuels to make energy more affordable or restrict usage and increase renewable sources in an effort to combat climate change, according to an Earth Day poll conducted by the Siena College Research Institute.

The poll found 46% of residents are in favor of restricting fossil fuel usage even if it’s more expensive and 43% are in favor of lowering energy costs even if it affects the environment.

“For a big issue like climate change, New Yorkers are stuck in between their wallets and their environmental concerns,” Travis Brodbeck, Siena College Research Institute's associate director of data management, said in a news release. “A majority of New Yorkers have some anxiety about being harmed personally from climate change and the harm to future generations, but the appetite for controlling prices today moderates fears about the issue.”

The poll — released just after Earth Day on Tuesday — comes as New York State implements its 2019 climate law, which set a goal of getting all electricity from emission-free sources by 2040 and reducing statewide emissions by 85% from 1990 levels by 2050. Sixty-six percent of residents said they support the state’s climate goals, according to the poll.

The issue of affordability, however, is playing a large role in both state and federal budget discussions as costs continue to rise and uncertainty over the economy looms.

“A majority of Democrats want the state to focus on protecting the environment even if it costs more while majorities of Republicans and independents advocate for lowering energy costs even if it slows the state reaching its environmental goals,” Brodbeck said.

But at least 80% of residents from every party strongly or somewhat agreed the state should focus on reducing costs and protecting the environment by using fossil fuels and renewable energy, according to the poll.

The poll also found:

• 77% of residents agree state environmental policies, such as reducing greenhouse gases, will benefit the long-term health of New Yorkers.
• 67% agree the transition to renewables will be an economic success, while 46% say limiting greenhouse gas emissions will make it more difficult for businesses to be successful.
• 73% said they support the state requiring companies with an annual net income of more than $1 million to reduce packaging on their products.
• 61% support increasing the state’s bottle deposit to 10 cents from 5 cents.
• 48% support banning the use of “fracking,” which uses carbon dioxide to extract gas and oil.
• 43% said they support the state implementing policies aimed at reducing the use of vehicles, such as congestion pricing and restricted driving zones.

The poll, conducted March 17-24, questioned 618 state residents and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.