WASHINGTON, DC - 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 today 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 percent of Americans
support a plan to end America’s addiction to oil through investment in wind,
solar, and next generation biofuel technology, 20 percent more than
supported increased offshore drilling. 80 percent 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 percent believe that increased production and affordability
of hybrid vehicles will have an impact on America’s energy problems. A large
majority of 79 percent of respondents support increased efficiency for
appliances.
Only 48 percent 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
percent.
