(Raleigh, N.C.) A clear majority of North Carolina small business owners support the clean energy climate legislation that will be taken up in the United States Senate over the next three weeks, according to a major Public Policy Polling survey of 711 small business owners across a three-state region consisting of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The poll conducted for Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance included 314 North Carolina small business operators and was conducted July 7-10, 2010. Key North Carolina findings include:

* 56 percent of small business owners in North Carolina support the bill being debated in Washington right now compared to only 41 percent who are opposed.
* 61 percent of small business owners think that moving the country to clean energy is a smart way to restart the economy and help small businesses create jobs. Owners of North Carolina businesses with fewer than 10 employees are particularly optimistic that a shift in energy sources will help spur job creation.
* 53 percent of North Carolina small business owners agree that adopting new energy policies will transform the economy and want their businesses to be part of the revitalization, compared with 42 percent who don’t.
* 63 percent of business owners think America should focus on maximizing the value of the energy we use and invest in clean energy while just 24 percent think the country should keep subsidizing oil companies.

Dustin Ingalls, assistant director, Public Policy Polling, Raleigh, N.C., said: “Small business owners in North Carolina strongly believe the country needs to move toward clean energy and that new energy policies will transform the economy and help them create new jobs. They support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation currently being discussed in the US Senate. Support for a climate and energy bill from Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan would be a winner with small business owners back home. “

“Clean energy and climate legislation will have a huge impact on our country’s future, both economically and ecologically, and North Carolina small business owners clearly understand this,” said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. “A majority believe moving the country to clean energy is a smart way to restart the economy and help small businesses create jobs.”

Eric Engler, owner, Velocity Motorcycles, Richmond, VA, said: “I see the issue of clean energy as critical to the future success and prosperity of small businesses here in our state. It’s critical to creating jobs and re-energizing local economies. That’s why, as a small business owner, I support policies that will spur the development of clean energy sources, create green jobs, promote energy efficiency, and protect our air and water. We have to face facts: our country’s dependence on dirty energy threatens the economic future of small businesses. The BP spill has illustrated this reality in the starkest of terms. But charting a new energy future is important to small businesses not only in the Gulf, but all across America.”

According to the North Carolina survey findings, small business owner support for the bill will increase even further if it includes several tools to help them take advantage of new developments in clean energy. This includes interest free loans to help them make energy efficiency upgrades, free energy audits to help them learn how to reduce usage and save money, and consultation on how they can profit from the emerging clean energy industry.

For the full survey findings, go to http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org on the Web.

Small Business Majority was founded by small business owners to present an impartial view of the issues that have the greatest impact on small businesses. Our recent focus has been finding a solution to the skyrocketing health insurance bills small firms have been facing over the past several years. In addition, we’re working on strategies to promote entrepreneurship and small business growth, including legislative provisions for job creation tax credits and access to capital.

The Main Street Alliance is a national network of state-based small business coalitions. The Alliance creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for ourselves, advancing public policies that are good for our businesses, our employees, and the communities we serve.

Dean Debnam, founder and president of Public Policy Polling (PPP), has over 30 years experience in creating and growing businesses. He also has an active interest in politics and public policy. His business savvy made him question the inefficiencies he saw in politics and led him to create the polling firm. PPP’s technology allows us to track public opinion more often and on a wide range of issues.