Majority Wants Government, Industry to Partner on Energy

Nearly 2 out of 3 self-described Democrats, 66%, indicate support for joint efforts, compared with 53% of Republicans. Only 14% of poll participants say government should take the lead in enhancing U.S. energy independence and energy security; another 14% say market forces should dictate such efforts; the remaining 14% say they are not sure or have no opinion. Political party affiliation again reveals stark contrasts, with nearly 1 in 4 Republicans, 23%, indicating market forces should dictate movement toward greater energy security, compared with only 14% of Democrats. In a separate question, 57% of Democratic respondents say the federal government should do more to prepare for future energy needs overall, compared with 41% of Republicans. “Energy security means different things to different people, but it is clear that most people want government and private industry to work together,” said Sheril Kirshenbaum, director of the University of Texas Energy Poll.

The survey also indicates consumers are willing to make some adjustments in their personal driving habits to help reduce foreign oil imports. A slight majority, 53%, say they are willing to purchase a higher-efficiency vehicle, while nearly as many say they would decrease the number of miles they drive or purchase an alternative fuel or electric vehicle, 46% and 44%, respectively, to help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports. Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed say they would be willing to carpool or take public transportation.

The survey also reveals varying views on what the U.S. government’s role should be in combating global climate change. Nearly 3 out of 4 respondents, 73%, think climate change is occurring, compared with 16% who say it is not occurring. A clear majority of Republicans, 60%, and Democrats, 81%, say they are concerned about a significant increase in the earth’s temperature. Nearly 2 out of 3 overall, 66%, say climate change is “mostly due to human actions.” Just over 1 in 4 survey participants, 28%, attribute a rise in global temperatures equally to human and natural forces. Forty-three percent of survey respondents see climate change as “an urgent threat” that all countries need to take action equally to address, compared with 27% who say that the U.S., as a world leader, should set an example by doing more to address climate change. “We’re seeing strong support for collaborative efforts among nations to combat the effects of climate change,” said Kirshenbaum. Nearly 2 out of 3 respondents overall, 64%, say the U.S. should prioritize reducing carbon emissions, while 15% say it should not be a priority.

The percentage of Americans who say they are familiar with the use of hydraulic fracturing continues to hover just under a majority, 47%. Of those who say they are familiar with the technology, 47% approve of its use, compared with 41% last fall; 37% oppose hydraulic fracturing, compared with 43% in September. Survey respondents’ views again split along party lines. Of those who are familiar with hydraulic fracturing, nearly 2 out of 3 Republicans, 65%, support the practice, compared with 30% of Democrats. Fifty-four percent of Democrats oppose hydraulic fracturing, compared with 37% of Republicans. The percentage of Americans who say municipalities should have the right to ban hydraulic fracturing within city limits even if state law otherwise permits it continues to hold steady at 59%. A considerably higher percentage of Democrats, 79%, think cities should be permitted to ban the practice, compared with 37% of Republicans.