Gas prices change views on energy

[GaryC 7]

Gas prices change views on energyBy H. JOSEF HEBERT – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — High gasoline prices have dramatically changed Americans' views on energy and the environment with more people now viewing oil drilling and new power plants as a greater priority than energy conservation than they did five months ago, according to a new survey.

The poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center shows nearly half of those surveyed — or 47 percent — now rate energy exploration, drilling and building new power plants as the top priority, compared with 35 percent who believed that five months ago.

The Pew poll, conducted in late June, showed the number of people who consider energy conservation as more important declined by 10 percentage points since February from a clear majority to 45 percent. People are now about evenly split on which is more important.

The number of people who said they considered increasing energy supplies more important than protecting the environment increased from 54 percent in February to 60 percent and the number of people who favor oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge also increased.

"This shows the real impact of higher gas prices on the public," said Carroll Doherty, associate director for the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, which commissioned the telephone survey of 2,004 adults from June 18 to June 29. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, slightly larger for subgroups.

Since February, gasoline prices have soared from just over $3 to a national average of $4.08 a gallon, according to the Energy Department.

The shift toward embracing more energy production was seen across different age and political groups, reflecting a change in attitudes among Democrats, independents, women, and young people — all groups that in the past have generally championed conservation over energy development.

The survey comes as Congress is in the midst of a bitter debate over how to respond to the country's energy problems and as the two major presidential candidates also are sharply divided on energy priorities.

GOP candidate John McCain has called for building more nuclear power plants and ending a blanket moratorium on drilling in 85 percent of the country's coastal waters. His rival, Democrat Barack Obama, has emphasized incentives for conservation and development of alternative energy sources and opposes expanded offshore drilling.

Likewise, Democrats have been pushing for more conservation and energy alternatives in Congress and argued the country cannot drill its way out of its energy problems. Congressional Republicans argue the answer is more domestic energy production, including on federal lands and waters off limits because of environmental concerns.

The Pew poll, however, showed Republicans and Democrats moving closer together on the production vs. conservation dispute. The number of Democrats who said they saw increased production as the top priority jumped by 16 percentage points since February to 46 percent. Republicans holding that view declined from about half to 43 percent.

With the exception of the Arctic refuge, the poll did not address any specific energy proposals such as whether to lift drilling moratoria in some ocean waters, the pros and cons of nuclear energy, or the environmental impacts of coal burning power plants on global warming.

It sought to address general energy priorities, said Doherty.

Among the survey's most astounding findings is the dramatic increase in a span of five months in the support for energy exploration and production among groups that have traditionally championed conservation as being the answer to the country's energy problems.

For example, the percentage of liberals who said expanding energy exploration was their most important priority doubled from 22 percent in February to 45 percent; increased by 19 points to 50 percent among independents; and by 18 points to 46 percent among women.

Young people, who in the past have overwhelmingly leaned toward conservation, saw the most dramatic shift. Just over half of the people from 18 to 29 years of age saw expanding energy exploration more important, double the number in February.

The poll showed people remain sharply divided over oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is now off limits. But in the June survey the number of people favoring drilling there increased to 50 percent, compared to 42 percent last February. Those who opposed drilling fell from 50 percent to 43 percent.

Public frustration over high gas prices and a warming toward more energy production has surfaced elsewhere as well.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's Web site calling on people to sign a petition to "drill here, drill now" has recorded more than 1.2 million hits.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jSCEEDV...Au4oiQD91L9J800

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Gas prices change views on energyBy H. JOSEF HEBERT – 2 hours ago

GOP candidate John McCain has called for building more nuclear power plants and ending a blanket moratorium on drilling in 85 percent of the country's coastal waters. His rival, Democrat Barack Obama, has emphasized incentives for conservation and development of alternative energy sources and opposes expanded offshore drilling.

The Saudis have mentioned that they are developing a new oil field in Saudi Arabia to produce an additional billion barrels per day - ready for production in 2 years. But, they complain that its not supply that's the problem, but the weak dollar and speculators investing in commodities (such as oil) over stocks.

Personally, I would convert my Wrangler Rubicon into a gas/electric hybrid if I could. I hear that gasoline will cost $7 in the next 2 years, and I'm already filling my tank at $75 as it is.

Me and my Rubicon "out for a drive."

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Americans (especially Californians) love their energy.

[GaryC 7]

Americans (especially Californians) love their energy.

Eventually more than the hate GW and offshore drilling.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So what are we saying here? Americans like to accelerate while heading towards that wall? Common sense dictates the opposite but common sense went out the door some time ago, I'm afraid...

[eric&gen 0]

Gasoline will cost $7 in the next 2 years, Everything goes up but our pay rate.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I DEMAND PLUG-IN VEHICLES WHEN THOSE 45 NUCLEAR REACTORS ARE IN PLACE!

[LaL 418]

So what are we saying here? Americans like to accelerate while heading towards that wall? Common sense dictates the opposite but common sense went out the door some time ago, I'm afraid...

I am with you on this. Consume comsume consume, but when things get tight - find new avenues to consume from? I am all for independance, but seriously - this all seems ridiculous to me. More more more!! ugh.

( I lol'ed at the bolded above )

[Niels Bohr 72]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

[LaL 418]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?

So? We work harder than 95% percent of the world. In your world North Korea must be right on kilter.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?

So? We work harder than 95% percent of the world. In your world North Korea must be right on kilter.

Evil dam americans, they need to suffer.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?

So? We work harder than 95% percent of the world. In your world North Korea must be right on kilter.

Evil dam americans, they need to suffer.

The guilt is driving some people mad.

[GaryC 7]

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?

Are you taking into account that we produce more than 25% of the worlds goods? That takes energy.

[zqt3344 21]

Yes Americans do consume more, and yes they should try to reduce that consumption, but what you fail to mention is that they also provide more and produce more than any other country in the world has or ever will.

Consumation is a part of sustainability.

It dosen't strike you as off kilter when 5% of the world's population (USA) consumes 24% of the world's energy?