Support for renewables shrinks as fossil fuel interest grows

AI generated summary

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicates a decline in support for renewable energy among both Republicans and Democrats compared to five years ago. The survey, conducted with over 5,000 U.S. adults, found that support for expanding wind and solar energy has dropped from 79% in 2020 to 60% today, while support for fossil fuels has nearly doubled. This shift is attributed to political influences, particularly the policies of the Trump administration, which have favored fossil fuel interests and created a cultural divide around climate change and renewable energy.

Despite the overall decline in support for renewables, there are notable exceptions, such as a strong backing for offshore wind energy and an increase in support for nuclear power among both parties. Experts suggest that the framing of climate issues in terms of economic benefits, such as job creation and lower fuel costs, may help bridge the partisan divide. While electric vehicles have seen a slight increase in support, there are concerns that Congress may still move to eliminate incentives for them. Nevertheless, some researchers remain hopeful that advancements in renewable technologies will continue to progress due to their decreasing costs.