New Pennsylvania Poll: Voters Support Shapiro’s “All-of-the-Above” Energy Strategy; 68% Want Candidates Who Embrace Middle Ground on Energy Including Natural Gas & Renewables

Affordability and reliability far outrank climate concerns as voters seek balanced energy solutions

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A new statewide survey of Pennsylvania voters finds overwhelming support for a balanced, bipartisan approach to energy policy that prioritizes affordability, reliability, consumer choice, and investment in both traditional and renewable energy resources. A copy of the memo can be downloaded here.

The survey, conducted June 9-11 among 600 likely Pennsylvania voters, found that rising energy costs are a major concern for residents, with 77% reporting their electric bills are higher than they were a year ago. Voters overwhelmingly identified affordability (87%) and reliability (61%) as their top energy priorities, compared to 39%  who selected low emissions and climate change as a top concern.

The findings underscore broad support for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that combines natural gas, renewables, and nuclear power to meet Pennsylvania’s growing energy needs while keeping costs manageable for families and businesses.

Among the survey’s key findings:

• By a 50-point margin, voters want to see a candidate for Governor and legislature who seeks out a middle ground on energy, compared to those who enact aggressive climate laws (68-18%).
• 81% support Governor Shapiro’s bipartisan work to protect Pennsylvania from rising power bills.
• 79% support Shapiro’s all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power to keep costs down, manage emissions, and protect reliability.
• By a 63-19% margin, they also support Shapiro’s permitting reform efforts to build new energy infrastructure from Pennsylvania to address rising prices in the region
• While solar power is the most popular source of energy (67% positive), natural gas enjoys strong bi-partisan public support, with voters viewing it favorably by a 62%-16% margin – including by Democrats (+17), Shapiro Job Approvers (+38)  and Gubernatorial Ballot Undecideds (+51)

“The message from Pennsylvania voters is clear: they want affordable, reliable energy and they don’t see that as an either-or choice,” said Michael Nutter, former Mayor of Philadelphia and National Leadership Council Co-Chair of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. “Pennsylvanians support an energy strategy that embraces innovation and renewable energy while recognizing the important role natural gas plays in keeping the lights on and energy bills affordable. In a key swing state, this shows how vital it is for future candidates to be practical and inclusive on energy. Bans on certain energy sources won’t work, we need an ‘all of the above’ strategy to lower energy prices.”

The poll also found Shapiro had a 53-37% job approval rating and is leading the race for Governor against  Stacy Garrity, the Republican candidate, by a 48-31% margin. 

“Pennsylvania has long been an energy leader, and voters understand that meeting future demand will require an all-of-the-above approach,” said Eugene DePasquale, former Pennsylvania Auditor General and Pennsylvania State Chair for Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. “The public wants leaders who can bring people together around practical solutions that continue reducing emissions, expand energy production, strengthen reliability, and lower costs. These new poll results show there is broad support for common-sense energy policies that achieve all of those goals.”

The survey also suggests that energy policy could become a significant issue in the 2028 race for President. By a margin of nearly four-to-one, voters said they are more likely to support candidates who seek a middle ground on renewables and traditional fuels such as natural gas, than candidates who favor aggressive climate policies (-17%) or favor those who work to stop renewables (-17%). 

Numerous blue states and Democratic governors particularly in the northeast are rethinking aggressive climate policies in the last several months, and acknowledging the need for natural gas to lower energy prices for families and businesses. Additionally, the Progressive Policy Institute, a center-left think tank, has issued a number of reports warning about rising costs based on zero-carbon requirements in states like New York and New Jersey.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted June 9-11, 2026, among 600 likely Pennsylvania voters via text-to-web. The margin of error is +/- 4.0 percent.

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