May 07, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of people in the Unites States would support the use of renewable energy sources, according to a poll by the New York Times and CBS News. 87 per cent of respondents think using solar and wind power is a good idea.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of people in the Unites States would support the use of renewable energy sources, according to a poll by the New York Times and CBS News. 87 per cent of respondents think using solar and wind power is a good idea.

Support for ethanol, a bio-fuel manufactured from corn, stands at 70 per cent. Natural gas in next on the list of preferred energy sources with 51 per cent, followed by coal with 43 per cent. 58 per cent of respondents regard the use of nuclear energy as a bad idea.

On Apr. 18, former Florida governor Jeb Bush responded to ethanol critics, saying the bio-fuel will not necessarily threaten international food supplies. Bush said the U.S. is willing to cut import tariffs on ethanol in the future because "the United States hopes to create a robust world market for alternative fuels."

On May 1, U.S. president George W. Bush met with German chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission president Jose Durao Barroso in Washington. Bush discussed his energy policies, saying, "The goal of spreading ethanol and bio-diesel is achievable, that's what we believe. (...) Now, the spread of ethanol in the United States is not going to be achievable if we rely only upon corn. So our research dollars are going to what they call cellulosic ethanol, and that means the ability to make ethanol from switch grasses or wood chips. And we're spending a lot of money to that end."

Polling Data

Some people say using renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, to generate electricity is a good idea because they are readily available and better for the environment. Other people say using renewable energy sources are a bad idea because they are too expensive and can be unreliable. What do you think—is using renewable energy sources to generate electricity mostly a good idea or mostly a bad idea?

Good	87%
Bad	9%
Unsure	4%

Some people say that using ethanol, which is manufactured from corn, is a good idea because it is an American-made substitute for foreign oil that causes less air pollution. Other people say ethanol is a bad idea because it drives up food prices and has less energy. What do you think—is using ethanol mostly a good idea or mostly a bad idea?

Good	70%
Bad	23%
Unsure	7%

Some people say using natural gas to generate electricity is a good idea because it's available in North America and is the cleanest of all fossil fuels. Other people say using natural gas is a bad idea because it contributes to global warming, and transporting it can be dangerous. What do you think—is using natural gas to generate electricity mostly a good idea or mostly a bad idea?

Good	51%
Bad	37%
Unsure	12%

Some people say using coal to generate electricity is a good idea because it's available in North America and there are new methods for using coal that cause less pollution. Other people say most coal use is a bad idea because it still causes pollution and coal mining hurts the landscape and wildlife. What do you think—is using coal to generate electricity mostly a good idea, or mostly a bad idea?

Good	43%
Bad	48%
Unsure	9%

Some people say using nuclear power to generate electricity is a good idea because uranium fuel is available in North America and nuclear power doesn't contribute to global warming. Other people say using nuclear power is a bad idea because of the risk of accident and the fact there is still no long-term solution for nuclear waste disposal. What do you think—is using nuclear power to generate electricity mostly a good idea or mostly a bad idea?

Good	36%
Bad	58%
Unsure	6%

Source: New York Times / CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,052 American adults, conducted from Apr. 20 to Apr. 24, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.