Bipartisan consensus in favor of renewable power is ending
The bipartisan consensus on renewable energy in the US is fading, notably among older Republicans, influenced by negative partisanship and misinformation. The Inflation Reduction Act and political shifts shape this trend.
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The bipartisan consensus in favor of renewable power in the US is eroding, particularly among Republicans over 50 years old. Despite historically strong support for wind and solar energy expansion across party lines, recent polling data shows a significant drop in Republican backing, influenced by negative partisanship and misinformation campaigns. The Inflation Reduction Act has driven investments in renewables, especially in red states, further shaping the shift in support. Younger Republicans still favor renewable energy, while older age groups lean towards fossil fuels. Democrats consistently support renewables, with little variation by age. Differences in opinions on electric vehicle policies and solar farms also highlight urban-rural divides and partisan preferences. The changing landscape of energy support is attributed to negative partisanship, the election of Joe Biden, and the visible expansion of renewable energy facilities. While political factors play a significant role, non-political factors like the increasing presence of renewable energy infrastructure also contribute to the evolving attitudes towards energy sources.
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4 commentsWhat people seem not to understand is that it doesn't matter what the US does anymore. China has already kicked off a process by which renewables and storage become so cheap that fossil sources won't be able to compete, and they're deploying those sources at an insane rate. The rest of Asia and Europe aren't far behind. The US might be able to bury our heads in the sand for a bit, but all it will do is doom us as a geopolitical competitor.
I don't know any Republicans that think solar panels are a bad thing. But when they hear how we've sacrificed our oil independence on the altar of climate change, they aren't going to be happy about it. Why does it have to be either or? Adoption was happening at a fairly rapid pace while we were still oil independent. I get that Democrats want it to happen faster, but I think this approach will just cause a lot of Republicans to dig their heels in, even though they have no problems with solar. Wind turbines are a bit more controversial, simply because they tend be quite ugly.
On the topic: a great example of how much modern right-wing politics is essentially elder abuse. "Am I out of touch on this technology that's been widely rolled out after I turned 40 years old? No, it's the children who are wrong, Fox News tells me constantly, making me fear for the future."
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