PEOPLE KNOW NEW ENERGY IS THE ANSWER

Poll: Americans Believe U.S. Headed in Wrong Direction on Energy
October 19, 2011 (University of Texas at Austin)

"A poll… by The University of Texas at Austin found less than 14 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction on energy. Of more than 3,400 consumers surveyed, 84 percent were worried about U.S. consumption of oil from foreign sources and 76 percent about a lack of progress in developing better ways to use energy efficiently and develop renewable sources.

"While jobs overwhelmingly top the list of national concerns, the majority of Americans care about energy issues…[T]he poll found 68 percent are concerned about the energy efficiency of their homes and 60 percent about global energy issues…Results indicate a lack of satisfaction with leadership for our energy future…Respondents indicated greatest satisfaction with their own performance, followed by scientists and engineers, academic and research institutions, and renewable energy firms. The public overall was much less satisfied with how government and big business are addressing energy issues. Congress — with ratings of 8 percent satisfied, 71 percent dissatisfied — ranked dead last."

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"The majority of Americans see energy prices as high and likely to increase…And while only 24 percent of respondents consider themselves knowledgeable about energy, four out of five consumers are interested in learning more about how to reduce their energy use…More believe that the nation's energy situation will be worse in 25 years than believe it will be better, although younger and more Democratic voters are more optimistic about the future…

"More than half (57 percent) of Americans expect that they will make changes in their behavior and adopt new technologies…including smart meters, solar panels, and hybrid or electric vehicles…[U]nsurprisingly in a tough economy, consumers were less concerned about energy's impact on the environment than on their wallets. But they ranked economic growth (37 percent) only slightly more important than preventing harm to the environment (33 percent)…"