A majority of Chicago registered voters (55%) support a proposal to require area gas stations to offer consumers the option of E15 gasoline and only 30% of voters are opposed.

Support comes from both sides of the ideological spectrum, with 59% of voters who identify as liberal, 51% of moderates, and 52% of conservatives in favor.

Read the full memo below.

TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Amy Levin, Benenson Strategy Group
DATE: July 24, 2014
RE: Chicago E15 Renewable Fuel Proposal

A majority of Chicago registered voters (55%) support a proposal to require area gas stations to offer consumers the option of E15 gasoline and only 30% of voters are opposed.

• Support comes from both sides of the ideological spectrum, with 59% of voters who identify as liberal, 51% of moderates, and 52% of conservatives in favor.
• Support also spreads equally across the city, ranging from 54% to 56% in the North, Northwest, South, and Southwest areas of the city.
• Support is also resilient: After voters are exposed to an equal number of messages from both sides of the issue, the needle moves to 59% for E15, 34% against it.

The margin of support is so high because:

• Voters want to support the renewable fuel industry. 60% say the U.S. should significantly increase its use of renewable energy sources, compared to just 8% who believe the U.S. should increase the amount of oil used.
• Residents are eager to reduce air pollution in the city: 69% say “reducing air pollution” should be a very important priority for the city, edging out even “reducing gas prices,” which was very important to 67%.
• Notably, there is even greater urgency on the South Side. 78% of voters in these wards feel reducing air pollution should be a very important priority.

Methodology: The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 600 telephone interviews with registered voters in Chicago from June 14 through June 17, 2014. The margin of error for the entire sample is ±4.0% at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for subgroups.