Here’s what Americans think of local wind and solar development
The Pew Research Center surveyed Americans about how they feel about local wind and solar development in their communities – this is what they found.
Wind and solar in Americans’ backyards
As a whole, more Americans think wind or solar would help rather than hurt their local economy. But many believe it would make no difference or are unsure. Respondents were asked to consider the prospect of wind and solar separately, but their views on wind and solar turned out to be very similar.
When asked about the economic impact a new solar farm would have on their community, overall, 33% think it would help their local economy, 7% think it would hurt, 30% say it makes no difference, and 30% aren’t sure.
Americans similarly viewed the economic impact of a wind farm: 33% think it would help the local economy, 9% say it would hurt it, 27% say it makes no difference, and 31% aren’t sure.
If responses are divided by political leanings, Democrats are far more positive than Republicans about the local impact of solar and wind.
Among Democrats and Democratic leaners, 46% say installing a solar panel farm in their community would improve their local economy, 23% say it makes no difference, and just 3% say this would hurt it.
Contrast that with Republicans and Republican leaners – 21% say installing a solar panel farm in their community would improve their local economy, 39% say it makes no difference, and 10% say this would hurt it.
When the ages of those surveyed is considered, that impacts the results yet again – 45% of Americans under 30 think installing a solar farm would help the local economy, but only 24% of those 65 and older think the same.
Both Democrats and Republicans ages 18 to 29 are more likely than older people to see wind and solar having a positive effect on their local economy.
As for the aesthetics of renewables, 45% of Americans say a new solar panel farm in their area would definitely or probably make the landscape unattractive, and almost as many – 42% – say it wouldn’t do this. Feelings about wind were nearly identical.
On balance, more Americans think a local solar farm would lower the price they pay for electricity than not (44% vs. 37%, and 19% not sure). Views tilt positive (40%) on tax revenue impact, but 32% say they’re not sure, and 27% say it wouldn’t bring in more tax revenue.
If you’re curious about Pew’s methodology and who was polled (spoiler: it’s extremely balanced), that’s here.
Electrek’s Take
In some ways these responses are predictable, and in other ways they’re enlightening. The political divide is pretty much what I expected, and the differences in age demographics isn’t a shock – younger people are more familiar with renewables, and probably more open to new things.
What surprised and frankly disappointed me was the larger-than-expected percentage of Americans who don’t think renewables positively impact their local economies, or who aren’t sure. Solar and wind bring in significant tax revenue, create jobs, and, assuming the utility passes the savings down, reduces folks’ electricity bills. Why don’t more folks know about this at the local level?
I’m curious to hear from our readers why you think there isn’t more awareness of the benefits of utility-scale solar and wind at the local level. Is it NIMBYism? Propaganda? Lack of communication from local government? Electricity bills not budging? Let me know your thoughts below, and please be civil.
Read more: 49% of Americans think climate change is mostly someone else’s problem
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CASE CE is responding to government regulations that are pushing industries towards a zero-emission future by developing a new line of all-electric equipment – which now includes a new, 3.8 ton compact wheel loader.
Last week, CASE Construction Equipment introduced the 12EV, an all-electric 3.8 ton compact wheel loader with a 1.5 ton payload capacity that the company says demonstrates its commitment to zero emissions and alternative fuel solutions.
These new electric vehicles mean more choices for CASE customers, enabling them meet their carbon footprint reduction targets and eco-efficiency goals while providing power and performance on par with their conventional, diesel-powered offerings.
The CASE 12EV comes equipped with a 23 kWh, cobalt-free, lithium-ion battery sends power to a 17 kW motor that delivers drive to the axles, as well as a 22 kW motor that powers the hydraulic system for the loader arms and bucket cylinder. The battery pack is good for up to six hours of continuous operation (depending on load). It can charge overnight on 220V Level 2 charging, or from 10 to 80% on a DC fast charger in just under an hour.
But wait, there’s more!
The 12EV wheel loader is the third production BEV from CASE, following the introduction of the CX15EV and the CX25EV mini excavators that weigh in 1.5 and 2.5 tons, respectively. The excavators are powered by 21.5 kWh and 32.3 kWh battery packs, respectively, sized to enable “full shift” runtime.
CASE showed off its full line of electric excavators at a UK earlier this summer, the first time UK equipment operators and other stakeholders a chance to sample the battery electric machines and learn about a variety of other carbon reducing initiatives, including sustainable charging and waste management.
Electrek’s Take
We had the chance to interview CNH (CASE/New Holland) chief innovation officer (CIO) Marc Kermisch on the Heavy Equipment Podcast a few weeks ago, where we discussed the impact of automation and electrification on construction and agriculture, the lack of new farm and equipment operators, alternative fuels, and more. You can check that out, below, and let us know what you think of CASE’s sustainable roadshow in the comments.
SOURCE | PHOTOS: CNH/CASE CE.
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Fifty million miles. Eighty million kilometers. Two thousand laps around Carl Sagan’s pale blue dot. However you measure it, there’s no denying it: Volvo Trucks have driven a whole lot of battery-electric miles!
Since Volvo Trucks began delivering its first generation of all-electric semi trucks to customers in 2019, the trucks have dramatically reduced fleets’ harmful carbon emissions, reduced their operating costs, and improved the working environment for drivers with smoother, quieter, and cleaner operation.
How much cleaner? Volvo claims that covering the same fifty million distance with equivalent diesel-powered trucks would have consumed more than 25 million liters of diesel fuel and more than 68,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
It pays off to be an early adopter – transport companies with electric trucks have a strong competitive advantage when being able to offer emission-free transport to transport buyers.
“I am happy to see how transport companies are embracing the benefits with electric trucks in daily operations,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. “The transport sector represents 7% of global carbon emissions and battery-electric trucks is an important tool to reduce the climate footprint. Thanks to many early adopters we can already now see the huge potential with this technology.”
We’ve come a long way
Since 2019, Volvo Trucks’ global deliveries of electric trucks increased grew to 1,977 Class 8 trucks in 2023 (up 256% from the year before, and still growing, as the company sees continued interest from customers in 2024). In addition to sheer numbers, Volvo has market share. In Europe, more than 50% of electric truck buyers chose a Volvo during Q1 of ’24 – fully 56%, in fact, with a 44% share of electric trucks sold in the US, as well.
“Not only transport companies, but also buyers of transport – and logistic services are signing up to SBTi (Science Based Target initiative), and are starting to demand sustainable transport solutions from their providers,” says Alm, about the 3,500 electric Volvo semis sold in 45 countries (so far). “This is yet another driver of the shift to electric trucks.”
Electrek’s Take
I talked about the head start companies like Einride and Freightliner had in developing autonomous driving for commercial trucks even as companies like Walmart and McDonald’s are turning to Tesla’s competitors instead of waiting for its Semi in today’s episode of Quick Charge – and I didn’t need Reuters to tell me that.
That said, fifty million miles and five years is one heck of a head start.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Volvo Trucks, Reuters.
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