Survey: Maine Small Business Owners SupportClimate, Energy Bill That U.S. Senators Snowe And Collins May Vote On

CAMDEN, ME. -- July 15, 2010 -- A majority of Maine small business owners support the clean energy climate legislation that will be taken up in the United States Senate over the next three weeks, according to a major Public Policy Polling survey.

The survey of 78 Maine small business owners was conducted between July 7-11, 2010, for small business advocacy groups Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance. Key findings include:

• 61 percent of small business owners in Maine support the bill being debated in Washington right now compared to only 38 percent who are opposed. Majorities of business owners across party lines favor the bill.
• 67 percent of small business owners think that moving the country to clean energy is a smart way to restart the economy and help small businesses create jobs. Owners of Maine businesses with fewer than 10 employees are particularly optimistic that a shift in energy sources will help spur job creation.
• 63 percent of Maine small business owners agree that adopting new energy policies will transform the economy and want their businesses to be part of the revitalization, compared with 32 percent who don't.
• 61 percent of business owners think America should focus on maximizing the value of the energy we use and invest in clean energy while just 27 percent think the country should keep subsidizing oil companies.

Dustin Ingalls, assistant director, Public Policy Polling, Raleigh, N.C., said: Small business owners in Maine and the rest of New England strongly believe the country needs to move toward clean energy and that new energy policy will transform the economy and help them create new jobs. They support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation currently being discussed in the US Senate. Support for a climate and energy bill from Senators Snowe and Collins would be a winner with small business owners back home. 

John Naylor, partner, Rosemont Markets, Portland, ME, said: We have to face facts: our country's dependence on dirty energy threatens the economic future of small businesses. The BP spill has illustrated this reality in the starkest of terms. But charting a new energy future is important to small businesses not only in the Gulf, but all across America.

Bill Daley, legislative and policy director, Main Street Alliance, said: "Clean energy and climate legislation will have a huge impact on our country's future, both economically and ecologically, and Maine small business owners clearly understand this. A majority believe moving the country to clean energy is a smart way to restart the economy and help small businesses create jobs."

According to the Maine survey findings, small business owner support for the bill will increase even further if it includes several tools to help them take advantage of new developments in clean energy. This includes interest free loans to help them make energy efficiency upgrades, free energy audits to help them learn how to reduce usage and save money, and consultation on how they can profit from the emerging clean energy industry.

For the full survey findings, go to www.mainstreetalliance.org on the Web.