Both Reds and Blues Go Green on Energy (Pew Poll)

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=44274

With high fuel prices and instability in the Middle East, Americans are increasingly concerned about the nation's energy situation. In January, 58% rated "dealing with the nation's energy problem" a top priority, up from just 47% a year ago and 40% in January of 2003, according to new research and poll analysis from the non-partisan Pew Research Center. "...Internal conflicts within both parties over the specifics of environmental protection and energy development pose a potential roadblock to consensus on policy alternatives."-- Michael Dimock, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

And while finding new energy and protecting the environment are often seen as conflicting goals, the public makes no such distinction. In concert with rising energy worries, Americans are becoming increasingly anxious about the environment. In January, 57% rated "protecting the environment" a top priority, up from 49% a year ago and just 39% in 2003.

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But other proposals are far more divisive -- both across party lines and within each party itself. There is growing opposition to the idea of giving tax cuts to energy companies to support oil exploration, at least partly in reaction to record profits posted by major oil companies. Also, just 44% of Americans support the idea of promoting nuclear power to address the country's energy needs, while 49% are opposed. Most Democrats oppose these proposals and most Republicans favor them, but the parties themselves are hardly unified. For example, while roughly four-in-ten Democrats favor promoting nuclear power, an equal number of Republicans oppose the idea. Similarly, while 57% of Democrats oppose allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a third supports the proposal -- hardly a unified party position. These internal conflicts within both parties over the specifics of environmental protection and energy development pose a potential roadblock to consensus on policy alternatives.

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