Survey: 75% of Americans Say New Energy Sources More Critical Than Fuel Efficient Cars

Posted by EcoFriendly

May 23

In a new Rasmussen telephone survey, 75% of Americans say finding new sources of energy will do more to help the environment than requiring automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 13% hold the opposite view.

Younger Americans feel even more strongly abut developing new energy sources than their elders do.

Placing the priority on finding new energy sources is a view shared by men and women, young and old, investor and non-investor, low-income, and high-income, white and non-white. There also is very little partisan divide on this question.

Most Democrats favor the new policy announced by President Obama this week that will require a fleet average fuel economy of 35.5 mpg US by 2016 (earlier post), while a majority of Republicans oppose such a law. But among all Americans, 55% support a law mandating higher fuel efficiency even if it increases the average cost of a car by $600 or more.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans believe that finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. This finding has consistent for months.

Fifty percent (50%) want to see more nuclear power plants in the United States.

However, in terms of the four top priorities Obama laid out at the beginning of his presidency, voters rank developing new energy sources as third behind deficit reduction and health care reform.