The, nationwide survey of 1,001 Americans released today by RBC Capital Markets also found that consumers want more immediate measures to address the country's energy issues and are open to change to protect the environment.
"While somewhat surprising that a majority of Americans feel that a solution to our energy problems will not be reached in their lifetime, the high prices we have seen over the past year are finally causing some changes in behavior and impacting the demand for traditional energy products like diesel and gasoline," says RBC Capital Markets' analyst Joe Allman.
A full 91 percent agree or strongly agree that steps need to be taken to dramatically increase energy conservation programs and implement incentives to develop and use alternative energy sources. Energy policy could also play a role in the next election cycle, with 84 percent of those surveyed responding that they will consider a candidate's position on energy issues the next time they vote, versus 52 percent who considered this issue when voting in 2004.
The survey reported that 83 percent believed the government should provide financial incentives to coal-fired power plant operators so they can retrofit existing plants to make them cleaner, Seventy-one per cent said they favor the building of coal fired power plants provided they are environmentally friendly and nearly one-third (31 per cent) of those polled say they would support the building of a clean coal technology plant in their own hometown.
Three quarters of those surveyed (77 per cent) recognize that solar and wind power needs government support to be viable energy sources, and eight out of ten believe the government should ensure that wind terminals are placed along federal highways or roadways.
Wind terminals and solar plants (60 per cent and 64 per cent respectively) are by far the most accepted by Americans when they are asked what energy-producing facilities they would accept in their hometown. And Americans clearly see offshore drilling as a possible solution. More than three quarters (77 per cent) believe restrictions to drill for oil off the Atlantic coast should be lifted "as long as every effort is made to protect the environment."
