The Ashes

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also known as the Stimulus Package, has elicited a mixed reaction from the general public, ranging from strong support to vehement opposition.  However, according to a new survey from Pike Research, ARRA provisions dealing with Energy and Environment issues are significantly more popular than the Stimulus itself, garnering support from 56% of respondents, versus 41% who support the overall relief package.  These findings are analyzed in a new research brief that is available for free download on Pike Research’s website.

“One of the most intriguing survey conclusions, when we compared levels of support by respondents’ political persuasion, was that conservatives and moderates were far more favorable to Energy and Environment provisions than they were to the overall Stimulus,” says managing director Clint Wheelock.  “Among liberals, support for both the ARRA and its Energy and Environment provisions was about the same.”

Some of the most popular individual provisions for survey participants included:

• $6 billion for Environmental Protection Agency clean water initiatives – 63% support
• $11 billion for an electric “smart grid” – 61% support
• $6.9 billion for hazardous waste cleanup – 60% support
• $6.6 billion for energy efficiency and conservation improvements – 57% support

Even the least popular Energy and Environment provisions still drew more support from survey participants than the overall Stimulus, notes Wheelock.  These included $6.7 billion for federal building renovations (42% support) and $8.7 billion for residential weatherization programs (49% support).

Pike Research’s brief, “ARRA Survey Analysis,” analyzes results from a web-based survey of 1,041 Americans conducted in April 2009.  Survey invitations were sent to a nationally-representative and demographically-balanced sample of U.S. consumers.  A full copy of the research brief is available for free download on the firm’s website.