Public perceptions of the risks, benefits of power sources changing
March 25, 2014 | By
Barbara Vergetis Lundin
The vast majority of the American public claim to be energy efficient, but when it comes to putting words into action, the assertions fall short. Despite the fact that many are not actively trying to conserve energy, they can be critical of the type of energy and where it comes from -- but perceptions are changing, according to a Harris Poll. For example, when asked whether the risks outweigh the benefits of several mainstream and emerging sources of electrical power, 78 percent said solar and 76 percent said wind have benefits that outweigh their risks. Natural gas and its scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing have grown slightly in the perception of benefits outweighing risks -- to 68 percent, up from 64 percent in 2011. In regard to nuclear power, however, the 37 percent of Americans believing its benefits outweigh its risks is down seven percentage points from five years ago. Roughly half (52 percent) believe geothermal energy's benefits outweigh its risks, but the verdict is out on 40 percent of the survey population. Meanwhile, Americans are evenly divided on whether coal's risks outweigh its benefits (41 percent) or vice versa (40 percent). Biomass is the biggest question mark, with six in 10 not sure of its risks or benefits -- three in 10 feel its benefits outweigh its risks, while one in 10 feel the opposite is true. When asked to select which two energy sources they believe are best for the environment, solar (68 percent) and wind (57 percent) are frontrunners, even though wind fell by seven percentage points from 2008. Roughly one in 10 selected hydro (12 percent), oil and natural gas (11 percent), electric (11 percent) and nuclear power (8 percent), which also fell seven points in comparison to 2008. Coal tops the list as the worst environmental offender at 53 percent, followed by nuclear power at 40 percent, and oil and natural gas at 21 percent. For more:
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