Survey: Pennsylvania Small Business Owners Support Climate, Energy Bill That U.S. Senators Specter and Casey May Vote On

U.S. Senate Action Could Come Before the End of July, With PA Senators Playing Key Role

PHILADELPHIA, July 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A majority of Pennsylvania small business owners support the clean energy climate legislation that will be taken up in the United States Senate over the next three weeks, according to a major Public Policy Polling survey.

The survey of 427 Pennsylvania small business owners was conducted between July 2-6, 2010, for small business advocacy groups Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance.   Key findings include:

• 57 percent of small business owners in Pennsylvania support the bill being debated in Washington right now compared to only 37 percent who are opposed.   Majorities of business owners across party lines favor the bill.  
• 58 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.  Owners of Pennsylvania businesses with fewer than 10 employees are particularly optimistic that a shift in energy sources will help spur job creation.
• 56 percent of Pennsylvania 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 38 percent who don't.
• 62 percent of business owners think America should focus on maximizing the value of the energy we use and invest in clean energy while just 22 percent think the country should keep subsidizing oil companies.

Dustin Ingalls, assistant director, Public Policy Polling, Raleigh, N.C., said:  "Small business owners in Pennsylvania strongly believe the country needs to move toward clean energy and that new energy policy will transform the economy and help them create new jobs. They support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation currently being discussed in the US Senate. Support for a climate and energy bill from Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey would be a winner with small business owners back home. "

Joshua Meyer, founder, PekaSys Sustainable Technologies, Inc. and Green Force, Inc., New Cumberland, PA., said: "I see the issue of clean energy as critical to the future success and prosperity of small businesses here in our state. It's critical to creating jobs and re-energizing local economies. That's why, as a small business owner, I support policies that will spur the development of clean energy sources, create green jobs, promote energy efficiency, and protect our air and water."

Chris Milani, owner, Crescent Designed Metals, Philadelphia, PA, said:  "We have to face facts: our country's dependence on dirty energy threatens the economic future of small businesses. The BP spill has illustrated this reality in the starkest of terms. But charting a new energy future is important to small businesses not only in the Gulf, but all across America."

Celia Canfield, clean energy project director, Small Business Majority, said: "Clean energy and climate legislation will have a huge impact on our country's future, both economically and ecologically, and Pennsylvania small business owners clearly understand this.  A majority believe moving the country to clean energy is a smart way to restart the economy and help small businesses create jobs."

According to the Pennsylvania survey findings, small business owner support for the bill will increase even further if it includes several tools to help them take advantage of new developments in clean energy.  This includes interest free loans to help them make energy efficiency upgrades, free energy audits to help them learn how to reduce usage and save money, and consultation on how they can profit from the emerging clean energy industry.

 For the full survey findings, go to http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org on the Web.  

ABOUT MAIN STREET ALLIANCE

The Main Street Alliance is a national network of state-based small business coalitions. The Alliance creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for ourselves, advancing public policies that are good for our businesses, our employees, and the communities we serve.

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS MAJORITY

Small Business Majority is a national nonprofit organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. We conduct extensive opinion and economic research and works with small business owners, policy experts and elected officials nationwide to bring nonpartisan small business voices to the public policy table.

ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY POLLING

Dean Debnam, founder and president of Public Policy Polling (PPP), has over 30 years experience in creating and growing businesses. He also has an active interest in politics and public policy. His business savvy made him question the inefficiencies he saw in politics and led him to create the polling firm.  PPP's technology allows us to track public opinion more often and on a wide range of issues.  

EDITOR'S NOTE:   A streaming audio replay of the news event will be available on the Web at http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org as of 5 p.m. EDT on July 15, 2010.

SOURCE Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance