The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released its annual statewide survey of Californians and the Environment. According to the findings, 82 percent of California adults support SB 350’s target to generate half of state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030, while 73 percent support the goal of reducing petroleum dependence for transportation by half by 2030.

The poll also found that 70 percent of people surveyed support the target to double energy efficiency in existing buildings over the same period. Among Likely voters, 74 percent support the renewable energy target, 63 percent support the petroleum reduction goal, and 68 percent support the energy efficiency goal.

Among Asian Americans, African Americans and Latinos, support for the goals is even higher, and strong majorities of respondents support the bill’s goals in each region of the state. At least two-thirds of residents in any given region of the state support the goal of reducing petroleum dependence in cars and trucks by 50 percent by 2030. Notably, a majority of Republicans also support SB 350’s goals to increase renewable energy generation (63 percent) and double energy efficiency in existing buildings (52 percent).

“The results demonstrate beyond the shadow of a doubt that Californians of all stripes understand the moral and economic imperatives of action to address climate change and clean up our air, and the legislature is heeding their call,” said Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles).

“The threat of global warming to the state’s future is a shared belief among inland and coastal residents and Californians across racial and ethnic groups,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO.

Baldassare also noted that partisan divisions remain, but majorities of both Democrats (66 percent) and Independents (52 percent) agree that global warming represents a “very serious” threat.

Support for California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) remains solid, with 69 percent of Californians and 63 percent of likely voters in favor. Support for SB 32, which would extend the greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, was nearly identical.

A strong majority (61 percent) of Californians believe it is very important for the state to pass regulations and spend money now to prepare for the future effects of global warming, and 64 percent support California making its own policies even if other states and the federal government do not take action.

Asked about specific policy actions, 64 percent of likely voters favored increasing tax credits and financial incentives for electric vehicle purchases, while 75 percent supported building electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure. Support for solar energy was even more pronounced, with 83 percent of likely voters in favor of building more solar power stations and 78 percent in favor of increasing tax credits and financial incentives for rooftop solar panels in California.

Californians also believe that action to address climate change will have positive economic impacts. For information about SB 350 and other California Climate Leadership proposals, visit www.focus.senate.ca.gov/climate.