Residents of La. have similar views on fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, regardless of politics • Alabama Reflector

This story originally appeared on the Louisiana Illuminator.

An overwhelming majority of Louisiana residents support the development of renewable energy alongside fossil fuel production in the state, and a majority of residents believe the state government is doing too little to protect air and water quality, according to a new study by LSU researchers.

Center for Media and Public Affairs Reilly at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication released the third report of the Louisiana Survey 2024, which surveyed more than 1,000 residents in March and April asking about their views on energy, environment and coastal issues.

The study found 75% support for expanding offshore oil and gas drilling in coastal Louisiana, 72% support for expanding solar farms and 59% support for wind turbines. The findings were broadly consistent across political affiliations, although Republicans were less supportive of wind than solar power.

When asked what to prioritize, a slightly larger share of residents, 49%, said wind, solar and hydrogen should be the priority, while 47% chose fossil fuels.

About 72% support state tax credits for carbon capture and storage projects. Proponents of carbon capture tout it as an effective method of combating harmful greenhouse gas emissions, while skeptics say it is unproven and potentially dangerous.

The study also revealed some skepticism about the impact of renewable energy on everyday life. About 52% of Louisiana residents believe that switching from fossil fuel production to renewable energy sources would improve local air and water quality, but only 30% believe it would create job opportunities. About 34% of respondents believe that renewable energy sources will lower home energy prices.

What is hindering Louisiana’s transition to renewable energy? Voters say their leaders in Congress

The vast majority, 55%, believe that the government is doing too little to protect air and water quality. Meanwhile, 57% believe Louisiana does enough to protect animals and wildlife.

Moreover, climate change appears to be very real for Louisiana residents. Many respondents believe the country is doing too little on climate change, and an overwhelming majority believes climate change contributes to extreme weather events.

Among those who said their community experienced unusual heat last year, two-thirds said climate change contributed. More importantly, among those whose communities experienced severe flooding or storms, 76% said climate change played a role.

Coastal erosion is also a problem. A large majority of Louisianans, 57%, say the loss of coastal land will cause great harm to people living in the state’s coastal areas. Fewer believe it will cause significant harm to residents living elsewhere, and only 40% believe it will harm the state’s economy.

A clear majority of 77% supports the state providing financial assistance to residents to relocate from areas at high risk of flooding or extreme weather. About 52% of support called for relocating communities from these areas, and a significant 67% of support called for limiting new construction in sensitive parts of the state.