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How do people envision the future energy system in the United States with respect to using fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy? Are there shared policy pathways of achieving a decarbonized energy system? Deidra Miniard will present results from a national online survey to understand public perceptions of the current and future energy mixes in the United States. Although there is a shared vision for decarbonization, there are partisan differences regarding the policy pathways for getting there.

In addition, she will present findings from a second study investigating how residents of Indiana, a historically Republican state which primarily relies on fossil fuel resources, think about the current and future energy mix and energy policy at the state level. Overall, participants were driven by themes of protecting the environment, reducing pollution, protecting public health, improving the economy, holding polluters accountable, fairness, and using energy resources that are available and "free." However, climate change was not a salient concern motivating participants' responses. Miniard will discuss how working within these motivations, and challenging misperceptions, are potential avenues to build bipartisan support for decarbonization in states that may be resistant to climate change action.