New Jersey voters reject subsidies for nuclear plants, says new poll

TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Petroleum Council today released a new poll showing that an overwhelming majority of New Jersey voters would oppose any possible effort in the legislature that would give a financial subsidy to nuclear plants. The New Jersey Petroleum Council urged members of the state legislature to reject any measure that could raise costs for consumers and hurt workers across the state.

"Picking winners and losers in the electricity markets by providing subsidies to nuclear plants, or any energy facility, at the expense of consumers would diminish the benefits that clean natural gas has brought to our state," said New Jersey Petroleum Council Executive Director Jim Benton. "Moving forward, the legislature should reject any measure that would subsidize nuclear plants or any other energy facility at the expense of New Jersey's consumers, workers, and environment."

Key poll results:

• 69 percent of voters oppose the state legislature giving a financial subsidy to a nuclear power company that would be in addition to the revenue that company already receives from New Jersey customers. This opposition is bipartisan with 66 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Independents opposing such an initiative.
• 74 percent of voters agree that the electricity market in New Jersey should be based on the marketplace, and not on particular corporations the government decides to grant money to.
• 62 percent of voters believe that consumers get a lower price if electricity generators compete to provide electricity rather than the state government choosing what types of generators can provide electricity.

The poll results were released on a press conference call this morning. The opening statement and results of the poll are available on API's website.

The New Jersey Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation's energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.

Methodology

The study was conducted between July 26-30, 2017, by telephone by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute among 804 New Jersey registered voters, with a sampling error of +/- 3.5 percent. A full methodology is available upon request.

"What America is Thinking on Energy Issues" is a public opinion series provided by API, offering data to inform policy discussions and ensure policymakers and others know Americans' perspectives on key energy issues.

SOURCE American Petroleum Institute