Many adults in the United States want Congress to focus on energy preservation, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 91% of respondents support reforms to emphasize more conservation by consumers, and to encourage more innovation to develop alternative sources of energy.
In 2004, the environmental policies initiated by United States president George W. Bush included tax incentives totalling $4.1 billion U.S. to boost the use of energy-efficient technologies, including hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.
Bush has also proposed opening less than one per cent of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration. According to the White House, the area allows for access to one of the largest natural gas reserves in the U.S., and could potentially provide more than one million barrels of oil each day. 53% of respondents favour allowing companies to drill for oil in certain areas ? such as the National Wildlife Refuge ? to decrease American reliance on foreign oil.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ? located in northeastern Alaska?covers almost 80,000 square kilometres. The area was protected in 1960 during the administration of Dwight Eisenhower, and is home to more than 230 animal species.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the following items that might be on the agenda of the new Congress? Energy reform to emphasize more conservation by consumers and to encourage more innovation by energy producers for alternative sources of energy.
Support 91%
Oppose 9%
Energy reform to allow companies the ability to drill for oil in certain areas such as the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to decrease our reliance on foreign oil.
Support 53%
Oppose 47%
Source: Harris Interactive
Methodology: Online interviews to 2,209 American adults, conducted from Jan. 11 to Jan. 16, 2005. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
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