Polling shows nearly 80 percent of Louisiana customers support renewable investment

A poll from the Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) determined that 77 percent of registered voters support renewable energy development as a means of keeping customers’ electric bills low.

The poll showed that a majority of registered voters supported SWEPCO’s proposed Wind Catch Energy Connection, a 2,000-megawatt potential wind farm with a dedicated power line. That project, SWEPCO said, could save $4 billion over its 25-year span and 62 percent of voters supported it for just that reason. A slightly higher 67 percent support it because of its potential to reduce electric bills, but also to bring clean and affordable energy and diversify the state’s generation resources.

“Affordable electricity, renewable energy, and diverse energy resources are important to folks all across Louisiana, as demonstrated by this poll,” Brian Bond, vice president of External Affairs for SWEPCO, said. “SWEPCO’s 230,000 customers in Louisiana stand to benefit from the proposed Wind Catcher project through cost savings, renewable energy investments and continuing our strategy of energy resource diversity. This poll demonstrates Wind Catcher’s value to local consumers as the Louisiana Public Service Commission reviews the project.”

Wind Catcher is being built in the Oklahoma Panhandle, but its power line would funnel the energy generated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from which it would be sent to other SWEPCO customers.

The poll consisted of 882 Louisiana voters through automated phone calls. The margin of error was ±3.3 points.