Poll Super-Majority of Virginia Residents Want Ability To Choose Their Electric Supplier

A new poll shows that a super-majority of Virginia residents want the freedom to choose their energy supplier, choose clean energy, and want more renewable energy to be generated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The poll was commissioned by CleanChoice Energy

The poll was released as lawmakers further consider HB2048, which would permit all customers of the investor-owned utilities to take competitive retail electric supply, if the customer purchases 100% renewable electricity, regardless of whether the incumbent utility offers a 100% renewable supply tariff. As previously reported, this bill passed last year, but was subject to a "re-enactment clause" that required the bill to again be passed during the 2021 session in order to become law. See more details in our prior story here

SurveyUSA interviewed more than 500 Virginia adults who rent or own their home, pay their utility bills, and have at least some input on their utility company's household choice.

The survey found that:

• 83% of Virginia residents want the freedom to choose clean energy for their homes.

• 77% of Virginians want to be able to choose their electric supplier.

• 66% of Virginia residents would like to see more clean, renewable energy in Virginia's generation mix.

• 66% of respondents expressed an interest in community solar as a new way to support solar development without putting solar panels on their rooftop (assuming savings of 5-10% on electricity costs).