PEOPLE WANT NEW ENERGY

Americans on Energy: Promote Both New Sources and Old; Solid majority want increased efforts to encourage alternative energy production
Jeffrey M. Jones, March 13, 2009 (Gallup)

SUMMARY
77% of U.S. adults want increased federal funding of New Energy. Only 39% want increased federal funding for Old Energy.

According to the most recent Gallup poll, only 13% of U.S. adults want funding for New Energy to stay the same and just 8% want it cut. In contrast, 28% are willing to leave Old Energy funding where it is and almost a third (30%) would like to see it reduced.

The poll was conducted March 5-8, 2009, via land-line and cellular phone surveys with a sampling of 1,012 adults (18 and over). Gallup claims an accuracy of (+/-)3%.

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42% of those polled consider the U.S. energy situation “very serious” - but in the 2008 Gallup poll that number was 46%.

47% say environmental protection should have priority over energy development while 46% believe it should be the other way, with energy development getting more emphasis. This is a shift away from a higher concern with environmental concerns in previous years.

In its analysis, Gallup combined its results to conclude those polled support government funding for both New Energy and Old Energy. Nearly 2/3 of those polled (62%) favored increased government funding for both (33%), increased funding for 1 without cutting the other (21%) or not cutting either (8%).

Democrats, Independents and Republicans all support funding for New Energy, Republicans less so. All accept increased funding to Old Energy (in the range of 40%) but more Democrats are willing to accept cuts to Old Energy funding.

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COMMENTARY
The poll suggests the public strongly backs the Obama administration’s efforts to fund the doubling of U.S. New Energy capacity in the next three years and push through legislation that will build a New Energy economy.

The poll also suggests the Obama administration policy initiatives that would shift funding from Old Energy to New Energy are in keeping with the views of the majority of the electorate.

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The decrease in those who consider energy “very serious” could be due to a concern with economic issues over energy issues but it could also be due to the perception that New Energy development is set to go under the new President while there is a much higher anxiety about economic issues.

The decrease in the percentage of people concerned with environmental protection could be due to an increased desire for oil and gas drilling but it could also be due to the perception that New Energy installations must take priority over local environmental issues in order to stem global climate change.

The strange way Gallup added the numbers suggested an equilibration between New Energy and Old Energy but, in fact, the most definitive preference was for increased funding to New Energy without an increase or with a cut for Old Energy. There is little enthusiasm for cutting funding to New Energy (8%) while nearly 1/3 of those polled (30%) could accept funding cuts to Old Energy.

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QUOTES
- Gallup: “It appears the public clearly recognizes the need to develop alternative energy sources and the benefits of doing so…”
- Gallup: “Americans largely endorse government efforts to increase alternative energy production through the use of financial support or incentives, directly in line with the Obama administration's stated objectives…”

Here's the bad news. (click to enlarge)

- Gallup: “It is unclear whether the poor state of the economy has made Americans less willing to do away with traditional energy approaches, but Gallup has found over the years that sentiments in favor of environmental protection wax and wane in response to the health of the economy.”