University of Regina survey shows strong public support for city’s renewable energy goals
Results of a University of Regina survey suggests there is broad support from residents to achieve the city’s goal of being 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy by 2050.
The Regina Energy Futures Survey is part of a larger report completed by the university. Brett Dolter, an assistant professor of economics, recently released the findings before presenting them to the City of Regina Planning and Priorities Committee on Wednesday.
“We live in a world where there’s a lot of polarization. It seems there’s always a different opinion on an energy future. So my interest is to see, can we actually get people to agree?” Dolter said.
The survey was administered by Prairie Research Associate randomly to 451 Regina residents through landline and cellphone calls in August and September of 2019. The margin of error is +/- 5 per cent.
Additionally, 64 per cent supported the broader goal of ensuring the entire city – including private buildings and vehicles – are powered with alternative means within 30 years. Less than 15 per cent opposed that goal.
“It didn’t matter what the political affiliation was or demographics, there was majority support in every demographic that we saw,” Dolter said.
The survey found 68.4 per cent of respondents accept that climate change is caused mainly by human activity, and those who recognize the urgency of the issue has the strongest support for the city achieving its target.
To help with that transition, 39 per cent said they were willing to pay more on their property taxes, and another 25 per cent said they would consider paying an additional charge – depending on the amount.
“In general, on average across the whole sample, people willing to pay up to $32 a month,” he said.
Dolter added that solar energy was a hot topic for those surveyed, with about half of those surveyed living in homes where panels could be installed. Of those, 75 per cent said they would be willing to install if they broke even or made a financial return.
About author
Add comment