Dem poll: Climate rule has broad support

A poll from a progressive group shows broad public support for the Obama administration’s new climate rule for power plants. 

Fifty-eight percent of respondents to an Americans United for Change poll said they support the Clean Power Plan, the group said Wednesday, with 40 percent opposed. 

{mosads}The poll — a survey of 4,517 registered voters in a handful of swing states — included positive and negative descriptions of the plan, which looks to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. 

Americans United’s poll looks to give the Clean Power Plan’s supporters a bit of political cover. More than 60 percent of the voters in every state the group surveyed said they would have a more favorable or neutral view of elected officials that support the plan rather than oppose it. 

Respondents to the poll also said they consider climate change a problem, especially Democrats (77 percent) and independents (55 percent). 

The poll also showed waning support for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) call for the nation’s governors to ignore the Clean Power Plan by refusing to write proposals for cutting carbon pollution. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said states should comply with the rule.

The Obama administration finalized the climate rule on Monday, prompting legal and legislative responses from foes and publicity pushes from green groups, like Americans United, to defend it. The group launched a weeklong campaign on Monday against the Republican state attorneys general who have already promised to sue over the plan.