Sacramento, CA – A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) reveals significant public opposition to key climate policies in California, with 63% of adults opposing Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The survey also found that 59% of California adults are unwilling to pay more for electricity generated from renewable sources. These findings, highlighted by journalist Emily Hoeven on social media, underscore a notable divergence between state climate ambitions and public willingness to bear associated costs or policy changes.
Governor Newsom's executive order, issued in September 2020, mandates that all new passenger vehicles sold in California be zero-emission by 2035. This directive aims to drastically reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels, with transportation accounting for over half of California's greenhouse gas emissions. The order does not prohibit Californians from owning or reselling gasoline-powered cars they already possess.
Despite the state's aggressive climate goals, the PPIC survey indicates public apprehension regarding the transition. While 40% are willing to pay more for renewable energy, a larger portion remains hesitant. Similarly, only 35% of respondents favored the ban on new gasoline-powered vehicles, suggesting a significant segment of the population is not aligned with this specific policy.
The survey results provide critical insights for policymakers as California continues to pursue its ambitious climate agenda, including a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the same year. The public's concerns about the financial implications and feasibility of such transitions present a challenge for the state's environmental initiatives. The PPIC Statewide Survey aims to inform public discourse and policymaking by providing nonpartisan data on critical issues facing California residents.