2010-03-01-皮尤-Support_for_Alternative_Energy_and_Offshore_Drilling_5页_32kb

Public Support for Energy Policies

The Pew Research Center report, based on a February 2010 survey, highlights strong public support for several government policies to address energy supply. Key findings show broad agreement with measures like increasing funding for alternative energy sources and expanding offshore oil drilling, with minor changes in public opinion since 2008. The majority of Americans favor promoting nuclear power and reducing dependence on foreign oil.

Alternative Energy and Mass Transit

• 78% support increasing federal funding for wind, solar, and hydrogen technology research.
• 70% favor spending more on subway, rail, and bus systems, indicating stable backing for these initiatives.

Offshore Drilling and Nuclear Power

• 63% approve allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters.
• 52% favor government efforts to promote increased nuclear power use, though views are less divided than on some other issues.

Cap-and-Trade Legislation

• Public awareness of cap-and-trade is low, with 46% having heard nothing about it.
• A majority (52%) support setting carbon dioxide emission limits and making companies pay for emissions, even if it raises energy costs.

Opinions on these policies have remained largely unchanged since similar surveys in 2008 and 2009. The survey, with a large sample size and robust methodology, underscores consistent public preferences in energy and environmental matters.