LAS VEGAS, Nov. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPA Opinion Research released new polling this month that found that fewer than half of all likely Republican primary voters in a key swing state would vote for Nevada Governor Sandoval for Vice President in 2016 upon learning that he failed to protect solar energy in Nevada. Specifically, after learning that Governor Sandoval has failed to protect 6,000 solar jobs against attacks from NV Energy, the number of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire who were unwilling to vote for Governor Sandoval as Vice President in 2016 doubled.
“Voters are clear that there will be political repercussions for any politician who fails to take a stand against monopoly utility attacks on rooftop solar,” said Sarah Wolfe, Senior Manager, National Campaigns at Sunrun. “NV Energy’s solar attacks in Nevada could have national ramifications in the Vice Presidential selection.”
The rooftop solar debate in Nevada escalated this summer when NV Energy proposed extreme fees that would eliminate savings for customers who go solar. The Public Utilities Commission, appointed by Governor Sandoval, will decide on the future of rooftop solar by the end of this year. This is the second poll conducted by WPA Research regarding Governor Sandoval’s leadership on the ongoing debate over the future of rooftop solar in Nevada, and the first in a critical swing state.
In a memo detailing the poll results, WPA states: “Governor Sandoval’s cozy relationship with NV Energy lobbyists, and his inability to make decisive actions on protecting 6,000 solar jobs in Nevada against attacks from NV Energy will greatly hurt his chances of receiving the nomination for the Vice Presidency of the United States.”
Governor Sandoval appoints NV Energy’s regulators and decides on legislation that impacts the utility. At the same time, his closest political advisors are top lobbyists at NV Energy. Upon learning this, the number of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire that were unwilling to vote for him jumped approximately 30 points, from 26% to 53%. After learning that Governor Sandoval has failed to take a leadership role thus far to protect solar jobs against attacks from NV Energy, the number increased to 56%. Traditional Republicans were among the most affected, with a jump of 38 points from the initial question.
The poll was commissioned by Sunrun, a residential solar company. It consisted of 401 likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire.