Poll: Oregonians represented by Rep. DeFazio rate climate provisions of infrastructure plan highly

Proposal builds bridges across party lines in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District

Environment Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — A new poll released Thursday revealed support for President Joe Biden’s infrastructure proposal across the political spectrum in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. The district, represented by Rep. Peter DeFazio, includes Eugene, Corvallis and the southern coastal counties, including Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, and Benton Counties, as well as most of Linn and Josephine Counties. The survey, sponsored by Environment Oregon, Earthjustice and Environment America, provides district-specific data on how voters view the American Jobs Plan (AJP).

On multiple measures, voters in the district clearly signal that components of the AJP that focus specifically on climate change and clean energy are a significant selling point. For example, 76 percent support investments to rebuild roads and bridges and modernize public transportation to ensure it is cleaner and able to serve more people. Rep. DeFazio has the clout to deliver that as the chairperson of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

When told that the plan includes a major emphasis on investments to expand the use of clean energy, such as wind and solar power, to tackle the climate crisis and create jobs, 67 percent of voters in the 4th District firmly say that this approach makes them more likely to support the AJP.

The poll found that overall, voters support the bill by a 56 percent to 33 percent margin. Fifty-two percent of the all-important Independent voters polled approve of the plan. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed said Congress should pass the bill if a bipartisan majority of the U.S. public supports it, even if Congress does not reflect that bipartisanship.

Among the specific provisions designed to address the climate crisis: 

• 78 percent of voters in the 4th District support overhauling our country’s drinking water infrastructure.
• 69 percent of voters support investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power by extending tax credits to spur innovation and manufacturing.
• 66 percent of voters support addressing the challenge of climate change by shifting to greater use of clean energy, reducing carbon pollution from vehicles and industry, and making homes and buildings more energy efficient.
• 62 percent of voters support clean energy projects in urban and rural communities, as well as helping farmers transition to clean energy.
• 57 percent of voters support investments in electric vehicles and charging stations to reduce pollution and help more Americans buy clean cars.

 “Oregon has been hit hard by the climate crisis and the societal devastation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Environment Oregon State Director. “Last year, we experienced devastating wildfires and a severe drought crisis across Oregon, which were exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. The American Jobs Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in what matters and tackle the climate crisis, and this data demonstrates that Oregonians support President Biden’s plan to build back better.”

The survey was conducted via live telephone conversations between May 12 and May 18 by Hart Research Associates for Environment America and Earthjustice, in cooperation with the League of Conservation Voters. You can find the memorandum outlining the full results of the survey here.

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Environment Oregon is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.