Businesses and the voting public are opposed to a federal cap-and-trade system, according to two recent surveys by the National Federation of Independent Business.
The surveys were done in late November and early December and asked respondents about their positions on policy issues surrounding Congressional energy and environmental policy debates.
Key findings among small business owners and managers include:
- 66 percent of small business owners and managers oppose a federal cap-and-trade system while 24 percent are in favor of such a system.
- 54 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system would lead to more job losses while 15 percent believe it would have no effect and 17 percent believe it would create jobs.
- 71 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system would increase energy costs while 14 percent it would have no effect and only 5 percent believe it would lower costs.
- 58 percent of small business owners and managers believe a federal cap-and-trade system will limit economic growth while 14 percent say it will have no effect and 14 percent believe it will increase growth.
“Small business owners and the voting public are very much aligned on the potential impact that a federal cap and trade system would have relative to jobs, energy costs and economic growth,” said Dan Danner, NFIB’s president and CEO. “Collectively, a clear message is being sent from small business owners and the voting public that they view a federal cap-and-trade system as a hindrance to job creation, affordable energy and economic growth.”
Voters listed the economy and jobs as the most important issues. With respect to the potential impact of a federal cap-and trade-system, 54 percent of small business owners and managers, and 42 percent of voters, believe that such a system would result in a loss of jobs. A substantial majority – 71 percent of businesses and 57 percent of voters – think the system will increase the costs of energy. And a significant majority of small business owners, 74 percent, and voter respondents, 50 percent, say they would be less likely to support a candidate who supported a federal cap-and-trade system.
“The results of these polls show that there is little domestic support for a U.S. cap and trade system in view of the economic impact and the additional costs that would be required by businesses, consumers and households,” Danner said. “It appears we simply cannot afford, and should not seek to implement, such a risky, unpopular system that shows no potential for positive economic results. As small business owners and voters clearly believe, according to these surveys, cap and trade would more likely result in significant economic harm, higher energy prices and more lost jobs.”
