December, 03 2008, 10:09am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Erin Allweiss, 202-513-6254 or 202-277-8370 (cell)
Americans Want Clean Energy, Not More Oil to Solve Energy Crisis
New Polling Shows That Most Americans Believe Now Is The Time For Clean Energy Investments
WASHINGTON
A large majority (72 percent) of Americans believe that our
country has the technology to move from its reliance on oil and other
dirty fuels to support investments in clean, smart energy choices,
according to new polling data released by the Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC).
"The American
public understands that clean energy solutions are available right
now," said Dr. Dan Lashof, Director of the Climate Center at NRDC. "As
new leadership arrives in Washington, it is clear that Americans are
looking for innovative energy solutions that will end our dependence on
oil, create millions of jobs and solve global warming."
Some of the survey's notable findings include:
- 84
percent believe that higher gas prices mean we need to move away from
our dependence on oil and toward renewable energy and energy efficiency. - 77 percent believe we are capable of developing energy alternatives to reduce our economy's dependence on oil and gas.
- 72 percent believe we already have the technology to do this.
"When
people are presented with a variety of energy choices, Americans want
investment in clean, renewable energy to stabilize our costs and create
a more sustainable future," said Dr. Lashof. "These solutions -- like
the wind, sun, and Earth's natural heat -- are available and Americans
want us to start using them now."
The
survey examined Americans' views toward a number of policies to address
the country's energy crisis, and a majority of Americans - even during
a time of record gas prices - stated the following would make a "great
deal of difference" in solving our energy problems:
- Improving fuel efficiency to an average of 50 miles per gallon (68 percent).
- Investing in renewable energy such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy (68 percent).
- Building more wind farms (64 percent).
- Improving home efficiency (61 percent).
A
telephone survey was conducted by Belden Russonello and Stewart in
October. The survey interviewed 800 adults and has a margin of error of
3.2 percent: https://docs.nrdc.org/energy/ene_08120301.asp
NRDC works to safeguard the earth--its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. We combine the power of more than three million members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe to ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild.
(212) 727-2700LATEST NEWS
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The House voted 219-199 for Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act (FANFSA), which won support from 96 Democrats and 123 Republicans, including the lead sponsor, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). Named for the constitutional amendment that protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, H.R. 4639 would close what campaigners call the data broker loophole.
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The House notably included an amendment forcing a wide range of individuals and businesses to cooperate with government spying operations but rejected an amendment that would have added a warrant requirement to the bill, which the Senate could vote on as soon as Thursday.
Noting those decisions on the FISA reauthorization legislation, Ruddock stressed that "today's vote is a victory but follows a recent loss and ongoing threat as that Section 702 bill moves to the Senate this week too."
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Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel at ACLU, similarly said Wednesday that "the bipartisan passage of this bill is a flashing warning sign to the government that if it wants our data, it must get a warrant."
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