New Poll: 81% of New Yorkers Want to Choose Clean Energy

New Polling Bolsters Case for Renewable Energy Supply Companies (RESCOs) in New York

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Nov 08, 2017, 09:08 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new poll shows that New York residents overwhelmingly want to be able to choose their energy supplier, choose clean energy and want more renewable energy in New York's power system. The poll commissioned by CleanChoice Energy, a renewable energy company providing 100% clean electricity, was conducted by SurveyUSA. SurveyUSA interviewed 600 New York State adults who rent or own their home, pay their utility bills, and have at least some input on the household choice of utility companies. Support for clean energy choice cut across the typical partisan divide with both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly agreeing that they want to be able to choose clean energy.

Highlights from the new survey:

79% of New Yorkers want to be able choose who provides their electricity.
81% of New Yorkers want to be able to choose clean, renewable energy as a source for their home.
77% of New Yorkers would be interested in 100% renewable energy if provided the option
New York residents overwhelmingly support the RESCO model for clean energy delivery even above rooftop solar and other technologies. 69% want 100% clean renewable energy compared to the 49% who want rooftop solar panels, the 52% who want home efficiency products and smart thermostats, and the 29% who want low carbon natural gas.
New Yorkers support community solar. 25% of respondents selected a 10 out of 10, describing themselves as "extremely interested" in community solar and 72% of responded selected 6 or higher.

Survey results can be found here.

The ability to choose clean energy options is largely available to customers today because of the retail electricity market. Without that channel, customers would not be empowered to choose their electric supplier and as easily determine their fuel mix. New York's Clean Energy Standard contemplates an important role for voluntary renewable energy purchases by homes and businesses in the state. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently estimated that more than 330,000 New Yorkers already purchase more than five million Megawatt-Hours of renewable energy above and beyond state mandates.

The polling bolsters the case that New York State consumers are supportive of electricity supply options provided by Renewable Energy Supply Companies (RESCOs). Currently, New York State is undergoing one of the country's most ambitious effort to create comprehensive energy strategy called Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). REV is designed to help consumers make more informed energy choices, develop new energy products and services, and protect the environment while creating new jobs and economic opportunity throughout the State.

CleanChoice Energy recently announced the opening of its Manhattan office to develop new solar software and clean technological innovations. The company has grown quickly since its customer-facing launch in 2013 to become one of the largest direct-to-consumer renewable retail energy providers in the United States, servicing eight states and the District of Columbia. The more than 1.75 billion kWh provided to CleanChoice Energy customers has avoided more than 1,300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

About CleanChoice Energy
CleanChoice Energy is a renewable energy company empowering residential and commercial customers across the country to make the choice to cut emissions and support clean energy through its 100 percent renewable retail electricity and community solar products. CleanChoice Energy serves customers in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. CleanChoice Energy is a Certified B Corporation, a member of the American Sustainable Business Council, the U.S. Green Building Council, and is certified with the highest available rating by Green America's Green Business Network, the first and largest network of socially and environmentally responsible business. Recently, CleanChoice was named to the Inc. 500 by Inc. Magazine, as one of the country's fastest growing companies. For more information or to become a customer, visit: www.cleanchoiceenergy.com.