Benenson Strategy Group Page 1 of 1

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.