A very interesting Yale Study sent to me this morning that points to the fact that between 2/3 and 3/4 of Americans support, and are willing to pay a bit to make a reality, any one of a number of government run subsidies that will help their communities be more green. These programs range from $5.00 - $8.00 per month increases in their power bills to help others get more fuel efficient furnaces, or mandate that their power company generate 20% of their power from renewable resources. The point of the study is to show you never know how many people will go how far until you ask them. With tis new knowledge it would be irresponsible for local municipalities to not ask their constituents the same questions, and then creating programs in accordance with the desires of the community.
Some of the findings included:
- 71 percent would pay $5 a month more in property taxes in support of a local subsidy to encourage homeowners to replace old furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, light bulbs and insulation.
- 69 percent would pay $8.50 more a month for local regulations requiring electric utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.
- 68 percent would approve changing their city or town zoning rules to decrease suburban sprawl and concentrate new development near the town center.
- 65 percent would support changing their city or town zoning rules to require neighborhoods to have a mix of housing, offices, industry, schools and stores close together.
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