SOLAR AND WIND POLL FIRST

Americans Want More Emphasis on Solar, Wind, Natural Gas; Oil, nuclear, and coal are more popular with Republicans and in the South

Dennis Jacobe, March 27, 2013 (Gallup)

“…[T]wo in three Americans want the U.S. to put more emphasis on producing domestic energy using solar power (76%), wind (71%), and natural gas (65%). Far fewer want to emphasize the production of oil (46%) and the use of nuclear power (37%). Least favored is coal, with about one in three Americans wanting to prioritize its domestic production.

“Democrats' and independents' top choice is solar power, while natural gas places first among Republicans. Republicans and Democrats disagree most on the priority that should be given to oil as a future energy source -- with 71% of Republicans wanting more emphasis placed on it, compared with 29% among Democrats. Republicans are also much more supportive than Democrats of coal (51% vs. 21%) and nuclear power (49% vs. 30%).”

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“…[Americans] living in the South tend to be more supportive of traditional energy sources…[but] for Americans in every region, including the South, solar power is the top choice, or is tied for the top spot…

“Americans overall and across political and socioeconomic groups generally are most likely to call for more emphasis on solar and wind power…[but] sharply divided politically over achieving greater domestic energy production using more traditional energy sources such as oil, coal, and nuclear power…This leaves natural gas, which 59% of Democrats, 62% of independents, and 79% of Republicans say should have more emphasis…But questions remain about the safety of "fracking technology" -- meaning public support may not be enough…”

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