Lack of renewables support cost Romney crucial votes

Voters were polled in Colorado, Ohio, Iowa and Virginia just before the recent presidential election. Virginia was a crucial state for both 2012 presidential candidates, with energy was a critical issue. 72% agreed that "rather than using more coal, we should move toward cleaner sources of energy".

Additionally, 69% of voters in Iowa said wind would be their preferred energy source. Wind energy was a crucial divide between candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama, with the former looking to abolish the production tax credit.

This view is held across political affiliations including Democrats (94%), Independents (67%) and Republicans (53%). Of those polled, 44% said they would encourage wind as an energy source.

Around three quarters of voters in these swing states indicated a clear preference to vote for candidates who will back policies and public investment to encourage more use of renewable energy.