What Drives Voter Trust on Energy Issues

Since early 2017, Morning Consult’s tracking surveys have measured whether voters trust Democrats in Congress or Republicans in Congress more to handle energy issues. Despite voters' focus on the costs of living, something that would seem to benefit Republicans on energy, Democrats have frequently held the lead on this issue.

In our latest survey, which found voters effectively split whom they trusted more to handle energy, we asked respondents who had picked a side to explain why in their own words. An analysis of their responses shows concern over climate change helps prop Democrats up, and a perceived push for energy independence boosts Republicans.

But more interestingly, it also suggests Democrats have potentially more to gain, especially if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s provisions aimed at undermining the growing clean-energy industry work as intended.

While it’s clear that partisanship is the strongest indicator of trust on energy, the respondents citing somewhat softer factors look more open to switching to the Democratic position than the Republican side. Roughly a quarter of voters cited economic or practical reasons for trusting congressional Republicans, with one respondent arguing, they “ plan to make us energy independent again,” and another adding, "They have more common sense policies rooted in reality.”

The bottom line

Republicans’ move to effectively kill all clean-energy incentives advanced by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and favor fossil fuels risks weakening the power grid, driving up prices and tarnishing their common-sense image. 

Many have highlighted the value of incentives in politically red communities and the wealthy, job-creating tech industry’s interest in cheap power to fuel growing AI products. Still, Republican lawmakers in both chambers shook off those concerns, supporting a reduction in incentives for solar and wind power growth and the promotion of electric cars.

We should note that among those in either camp, healthy pluralities cited partisan considerations, suggesting an uphill climb for advocates of either side looking to convert new supporters.

But it does appear that the Republicans’ latest actions on Capitol Hill could give Democrats an opening they’ve lacked in recent years — especially on pro-renewable messaging framed in practical, economic terms, underscored by voters’ mixed perspectives on Trump’s plan to end incentive programs in the GOP’s megabill.