MA, ME, and NH Small Business Owners Support Climate Bill

A survey done of New England small businesses in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire provides evidence that there is robust support for clean energy and climate legislation.  The poll included 319 small business owners and was conducted by the Main Street Alliance and the Small Business Majority from July 7^thto July 11^th, 2010.

The Main Street Alliance, a national network of state-based small business coalitions, published a press release with following key findings:

– 66 percent of small business owners in Massachusetts support the bill being debated in Washington right now compared to only 31 percent who are opposed.

– 69 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. That sentiment is shared by 87 percent of Democratic business owners, 65 percent of ones who identify as political independents, and 52 percent of Republican ones. Owners of Massachusetts businesses with fewer than 10 employees are particularly optimistic that a shift in energy sources will spur job creation.

– 66 percent of Massachusetts 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 28 percent who don’t.

– 68 percent of business owners think America should focus on maximizing the value of the energy we use and invest in clean energy while just 21 percent think the country should keep subsidizing oil companies.

According to the survey of Massachusetts small business owners, support for clean energy and climate legislation would increase if there were more programs in place for free energy audits, interest free loans for energy upgrades, and consultations on how to utilize energy programs, such as photovoltaics and wind, to save money and increase their bottom line.