POLL: Small Businesses Support Strong National Standards to Increase Energy Innovation, Prosperity for Small Firms

Washington, D.C. Small business owners support strong national standards to increase energy innovation, according to a new national opinion poll of 1,200 small business owners released today by Small Business Majority. The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, found that 87 percent of small business owners agree that improving innovation and energy efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small businesses. It also found strong support for higher mileage standards for passenger vehicles and the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, refineries and other major emitters.

Small businesses understand that to survive in this tough economy they need to innovate, and that strong energy efficiency standards will assist them in doing so by helping them save money in their own business and creating new market opportunities, said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. Right now, helping small businesses grow and put Americans back to work should be the number one priority.

When asked about the biggest challenges facing their small businesses, only 13 percent identified government regulations as their top concern. Instead, 43 percent of business owners said the rising costs of doing business, including the cost of fuel, electricity, heating and cooling costs, was a top concern and 46 percent cited uncertainty about the economy.

"Small businesses owners get that stronger standards translates into more jobs and a boost to our struggling economy: a win-win for everyone. As the former chairman of the small business committee, I know that small businesses are the drivers of our economy, and we'd be wise to listen to our primary job creators," said Senator John Kerry.

Small business owners also overwhelmingly support EPA regulation of carbon emissions. By a 3:1 margin, small business owners across the nation support the EPA regulating carbon emissions that cause climate change.

Support is also high in states with large manufacturing sectors like Michigan (73 percent) and Ohio (75 percent) of small business owner's supportive of the EPA regulating carbon emissions. The supportive trend continued in other oversampled states of California (71 percent) and Minnesota (73 percent).

EPA regulation of carbon emissions would directly affect my business by encouraging investments in renewable energy, said Stefanie Penn Spear, president of Expedite Renewable Energy in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. In addition, the economic uncertainty small business owners experience today would decline, since regulation of carbon emissions would stabilize the market place, and entrepreneurs would have concrete goals for the future and begin to innovate accordingly.

On the issue of passenger vehicle fuel efficiency, Small Business Majority finds that 87 percent of small business owners overwhelmingly support adopting strong standards now, and 80 percent support requiring the auto industry to increase mileage to 60 mpg by 2025.

In July, President Obama announced an agreement with automakers to adopt a federal 54.5 mpg standards by the year 2025. Higher fuel standards would allow me to expand my business immediately and they would boost my employees spending power as consumers, said Jonathan Tobias, owner of Michigan Green Cabs in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In my industry, employees pay fuel prices for the vehicles I supply. If I could give drivers 60 mpg cars, they'd be lining up to work for me since they'd net more pay than they would elsewhere.

Small business owners say stronger gas mileage standards will help American automakers innovate, improve efficiency and compete in the global economy; 73 percent of poll respondents believe the federal government should do more to make American car companies innovate and 71 percent believe American car companies do not innovate enough.

Other findings from the poll include:

Small business owners recognize the value of energy efficiency, clean energy and cutting waste.

• 68 percent of small business owners have installed energy-saving measures such as energy efficient light bulbs, appliances, windows and insulation.
• 78 percent recycle.
• 12 percent have bought hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles.