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For a long time, energy and climate policy have been points of division in American politics. Overall, more than half of both parties support clean energy, but the Republican party’s energy policy leans more towards oil and gas extraction; nuclear energy revival is a consensus between the two parties. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center has confirmed this view but also noted a significant change.
The survey found that Democrats generally support investment in renewable energy, while Republicans are more inclined to expand energy production, including the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. However, the partisan divide on developing nuclear energy is the smallest. Additionally, among the 2024 presidential candidates, Trump focuses on energy independence and fossil fuels, while Harris encourages the transition to clean energy.
In May 2024, the Pew Research Center surveyed over 8,500 American adults on energy policy issues. The survey results are as follows:
Republican/Lean Republican Support Proportion:
Democratic/Lean Democratic Support Proportion:
Nuclear energy is currently the only energy transition and security plan with bipartisan consensus, so the partisan difference concerning nuclear energy is the smallest (18 percentage points). About two-thirds of Republicans support expanding nuclear energy, compared to roughly half of Democrats. Overall, 56% of surveyed American adults support the expansion of nuclear energy development in the U.S.
Democrats are more supportive of developing renewable energy sources like solar and wind, whereas Republicans are more supportive of fossil fuels such as oil and coal. On energy issues, Republicans prioritize the release of oil and gas production, which is a dominant industry in U.S. energy and a significant support base for Republicans and Trump. The partisan divide is largest on coal mining (reaching 48 percentage points), with only 16% of Democrats supporting expanded coal mining compared to 64% of Republicans.
However, since 2020, the support for solar and wind energy has decreased by 12 and 11 percentage points, respectively, mainly due to a significant drop in Republican support since Biden took office in early 2021, with declines of 20 and 19 percentage points, respectively. Interest in purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) has also decreased compared to a year ago. Currently, 29% of Americans say they would consider choosing an electric vehicle for their next car, down from 38% in 2023.
Nevertheless, the majority of Americans (63%) still support the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. When asked which type of energy should be a higher priority, more Americans believe the nation should prioritize developing renewable energy over fossil fuels (65% to 34%).
This partisan divide on energy policy is naturally reflected in this year’s U.S. election.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump has promised to rapidly approve the construction of nuclear power plants, focus on energy independence, and curb energy-induced inflation by increasing the use of fossil fuels. Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris has been a staunch supporter of the clean energy transition and was an early co-sponsor of the Green New Deal as a senator.
