CONTACT: Emily D’Alberto edalberto@madglobalstrategy.com
(Madison, WI) — As Wisconsin voters express deep concern about rising energy costs and grid reliability, a newly released statewide survey of 500 likely voters finds overwhelming, bipartisan support for natural gas as a critical part of the state’s clean energy future.
The poll, conducted December 1–2 on behalf of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, shows Wisconsin voters want an energy approach that lowers costs, keeps power reliable, and accelerates the transition away from coal without sacrificing affordability for working families.
Despite national rhetoric that often frames natural gas as incompatible with climate goals, Wisconsin voters, including Democrats, see natural gas as a necessary partner to renewable energy and a realistic pathway to cutting emissions while protecting consumers.
Key Findings from the Survey Include:
- 74% of Wisconsin voters say they are concerned about their current economic situation, underscoring the importance of energy affordability.
- 60% of voters report their electric bills are higher than they were this time last year.
- 80% of voters say affordability and finances are their top energy concern, compared to just 38% who prioritize low emissions.
- 69% of voters hold a favorable view of natural gas, the highest positive image of natural gas recorded in any state tested by Natural Allies to date.
- 78% of voters support expanding natural gas infrastructure to help transition away from coal, including strong majorities of Democrats (78%), Independents (76%), and Republicans (79%).
- 57% of voters support building more natural gas infrastructure to lower energy prices, compared to just 23% who favor phasing out natural gas even if it leads to higher bills.
- 73% of voters say residents and businesses should have the freedom to choose the energy that works best for them, rejecting mandates that force electric-only buildings.
- 69% agree Wisconsin’s energy policy should prioritize affordable and reliable power for the state’s manufacturing and agriculture-based economy, even if it slows the transition away from fossil fuels.
“These results show Wisconsin voters are far more pragmatic than the national energy debate suggests,” said Peter Barca, President, Wisconsin Natural Allies. “Democrats want to cut emissions but also believe in protecting working families from higher costs and unreliable power. This poll makes clear that voters, including Democrats, understand natural gas is a necessary partner to renewables if we’re serious about replacing coal, keeping energy affordable, and maintaining a reliable grid. Supporting natural gas isn’t abandoning climate goals, it’s how we achieve them.”
The survey also finds that voters strongly support using natural gas to replace coal, which still generates roughly 30 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity. By a 66-point margin, voters favor expanding natural gas infrastructure to facilitate that transition, a rare point of consensus across party lines.
“Democrats don’t have to choose between climate progress and energy affordability, voters are telling us they expect both,” said former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), Co-Chair of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. “This Wisconsin poll confirms what we’re seeing nationwide: natural gas is a proven partner to renewables – lowering emissions, protecting working families from higher energy costs, and keeping the grid reliable. If we’re serious about reducing carbon emissions and winning back the trust of working-class voters, natural gas must be part of the solution.”
While Wisconsin voters broadly support renewable energy, the poll shows that purely zero-carbon mandates without regard for cost or reliability face significant skepticism, particularly among working and middle-class voters. Instead, voters favor a balanced energy mix that keeps power affordable and dependable as clean energy technologies continue to scale.
The findings come as Wisconsin faces growing electricity demand driven by manufacturing growth, data centers, and electrification trends, while voters express low confidence that large corporations will fully absorb the cost of new infrastructure without passing it on to consumers.
The poll was commissioned by Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future and conducted by MAD Global Strategy, a bipartisan public strategy firm. The data is based on a text-to-web survey of 500 likely voters residing in Wisconsin and is part of a broader series of state-level energy polls conducted across the country.
You can review a deeper polling memo by clicking this link.
