A new national energy poll reveals that Americans favor investment in clean, renewable energy over increased oil drilling when presented with the full spectrum of energy options. The report was released this week by the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund.
Unlike some previous polls that neglected to ask participants to compare clean energy solutions with increased fossil fuel extraction, this survey put every option on the table.
"These results prove that Americans want real solutions that will help families at the pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and invest in clean, alternative energy," LCV President Gene Karpinski said. "We must invest in clean energy sources like wind and solar and build more fuel efficient cars to reduce our demand for oil."
Some of the poll’s top findings indicate that 83% of Americans support a plan to end America’s addiction to oil through investment in wind, solar, and next generation biofuel technology, 20% more than supported increased offshore drilling. 80% believe that America should put a stop to billions of dollars in oil subsidies and use the money to invest in renewable sources.
"Americans just want solutions that work. When they hear the facts, people understand clean energy works," Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope said. "Big Oil and their allies in Congress need to stop holding up the clean energy solutions that can move us forward now."
In addition to support for renewable energy sources, an overwhelming majority of 81% believe that increased production and affordability of hybrid vehicles will have an impact on America’s energy problems. A large majority of 79% of respondents support increased efficiency for appliances.
Only 48% of respondents favored the phony "gas tax holiday" proposed earlier this year.
"This poll shows that when given a choice, Americans prefer the path to a clean energy future instead of the dead-end road of dirty fuels," said NRDC Action Fund president Frances Beinecke.
The poll was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research from July 24-29, 2008. The survey polled 1004 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.2%.
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