Nevada Small Business Owners Support Government Investments in Clean Energy and EPA Clean Air Standards

Publisher: 
Small Business Majority
Date: 
Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Opinion polling shows Nevada small business owners believe government can play an important role in creating financial incentives that help small businesses take energy efficiency measures. A majority of six in 10 respondents say government investments in clean energy play an important role in creating jobs and boosting the economy, and about the same majority also supports standards to reduce carbon pollution and other emissions even if it means an increase in utility rates. Fifty-five percent agree government should continue investing in renewable energy despite the failure of Solyndra, a renewable energy company that received a $535 million federal loan guarantee prior to filing for bankruptcy. 

With regard to specific Environmental Protection Agency regulations, 73% of the small business owners surveyed support the EPA’s new federal standard requiring new power plants to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. And, a striking 61% of owners would still support the EPA regulating such emissions even if it would cause an increase in utility rates. 

Key Findings

Nevada small business owners believe government investments in clean energy have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs: 60% of respondents believe it is important government continues to invest in clean energy. 

Small businesses believe government investments in clean energy will create jobs now

Which of these statements comes closer to your point of view, even if neither one is exactly right:

Government investments in clean energy and energy efficiency have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs now.

OR

Government investments in clean energy and energy efficiency are a waste of money, and neither play an important role in growing our national economy or creating jobs.

The rising cost of doing business is Nevada smallbusiness owners’ biggest problem— not regulations: Asked about their top business concerns, Nevada small business owners most often say it’s the rising cost of doing business—39% cite the rising cost of doing business, such as higher fuel or electricity costs and 27% cite the rising cost of doing business, such as higher material or supply costs. Twenty-seven percent also cite lack of consumer demand. Government regulation came in fifth, with 0nly one in five owners citing it as a top concern. 

Owners cite rising costs of doing business as top concern

Which ONE or TWO of the following do you believe are the biggest problems facing your business?

Many Nevada small business owners have already taken steps to improve energy efficiency: 63% of respondents have installed energy-saving measures such as energy efficient light bulbs, appliances, windows and insulation, reduced their heating and/or air conditioning usage, or taken some other energy saving measure. 

Nevada small business owners are extremely interested in using programs that help improve energy efficiency: 65% of small business owners are interested in using programs that provide incentives or assistance for small businesses to improve energy efficiency; only 9% of respondents are not interested at all. 

Entrepreneurs believe government should play a role in creating financial incentives that encourage people to take energy efficiency measures: 71% of Nevada small business owners believe government should play an important role in creating financial incentives that encourage people to take energy efficiency measures like installing energy efficient light bulbs. A solid majority of business owners believe government should provide incentives through funding and policy efforts: 69% support encouraging renewable energy technologies, while 66% support encouraging clean energy technologies. 

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