Small Business Majority

Solving Small Businesses' Biggest Problems

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Nevada Small Business Owners Support Government Investments in Clean Energy and EPA Clean Air Standards

Publisher: Small Business Majority
Published: August 15, 2012

 

Introduction

Small businesses account for a significant share of Nevada’s economy. For every one large business in Nevada, there are 101 small businesses diligently working to reenergize the state’s economy: Small firms make up 96% of the state’s employers. These entrepreneurs are doing everything they can to hire, grow and move their businesses and the state’s economy forward. As part of these efforts, recent scientific opinion polling shows that Nevada’s entrepreneurs want pragmatic, innovative policies that help guide them into a competitive, modern clean energy economy.

A majority of six in 10 respondents say government investments in clean energy play an important role in creating jobs and boosting the economy, and about the same majority also supports standards to reduce carbon pollution and other emissions even if it means an increase in utility rates. Fifty-five percent agree government should continue investing in renewable energy despite the failure of Solyndra, a renewable energy company that received a $535 million federal loan guarantee prior to filing for bankruptcy.

 

Main Findings

• Nevada small business owners believe government investments in clean energy have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs: 60% of respondents believe it is important government continues to invest in clean energy.
  

  
  Figure 1: Small businesses believe government investments in clean energy will create jobs now

  Which of these statements comes closer to your point of view, even if neither one is exactly right: Government investments in clean energy and energy efficiency have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs now. OR Government investments in clean energy and energy efficiency are a waste of money, and neither play an important role in growing our national economy or creating jobs.

  
  
  
  
• The rising cost of doing business is Nevada small business owners’ biggest problem—not regulations: Asked about their top business concerns, Nevada small business owners most often say it’s the rising cost of doing business—39% cite the rising cost of doing business, such as higher fuel or electricity costs and 27% cite the rising cost of doing business, such as higher material or supply costs. Twenty-seven percent also cite lack of consumer demand. Government regulation came in fifth, with 0nly one in five owners citing it as a top concern.
  
  

  Figure 2: Owners cite rising costs of doing business as top concern

  Which ONE or TWO of the following do you believe are the biggest problems facing your business?

  
  
  
  
• Small businesses support EPA standards requiring new power plants to reduce previously unlimited greenhouse gas emissions—even if it would cause increased utility rates: Almost three-quarters of respondents, or 73%, are in favor of the EPA determining federal limits on power plants’ emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. What’s more, 61% would still support the EPA regulating carbon pollution and other emissions even if it would cause an increase in utility rates.
  

  
  Figure 3: Majority favors new rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions—even if it means increased utility rates

  The EPA is expected to soon release rules requiring new power plants to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide they emit. There currently are no federal limits on the carbon pollution that comes from industrial sources such as power plants and factories. Do you favor or oppose the EPA regulating carbon pollution from power plants?

  
  
  
  

  Would you favor or oppose the EPA regulating carbon pollution and other emissions on power plants even if you believe there would be an increase in utility rates?

  
  
  
  

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