In U.S., Expanding Energy Output Still Trumps Green Concerns

PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans, by 50% to 41%, say the nation should prioritize the development of energy supplies over protecting the environment when the two goals are at odds. This reflects the continuation of a striking reversal of attitudes compared with those seen from 2001 through 2008, when Americans showed a clear preference for environmental protection.

Americans' preference for development of U.S. energy supplies over environmental protection swelled from 34% in 2007 to 50% in March 2010 and held at that level in this year's update of Gallup's annual Environment survey, conducted March 3-6.

A separate update of the question in May 2010 -- a month after the explosion that triggered the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico -- found a significant uptick in Americans' choosing the environment over production. However, that proved a short-lived reaction to the event.

Development of Alternative Energy Has Broad Appeal

While Americans have grown more likely since 2007 to value U.S. production of fossil fuels as a national priority, they nevertheless see developing alternative energy sources as even more important. This is according to a new question included on the 2011 Environment poll that finds 66% of Americans choosing "development of alternative energy such as wind and solar power" as the preferred approach for addressing energy concerns, while 26% choose "production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies."

Preference for Conservation Over Production Narrows

Additionally, the annual Environment poll asks Americans whether increased production of fossil fuels or increased energy conservation is the better approach to solving the United States' energy problems. Americans' once-lopsided preference for conservation has narrowed considerably in recent years, from 64%-26% in 2007 to 48%-41% today.

Bottom Line

Americans' willingness to put environmental interests over U.S. energy needs has waned over the past four years -- perhaps a reflection of their underlying concerns about the economy. As in 2010, more Americans today believe energy production should have priority over environmental protection. And a record-high 41% now think the U.S. should emphasize production of fossil fuels as the preferred solution to the nation's energy problems, although a 48% plurality continues to favor conservation. The same poll showed increased public support for offshore oil drilling and oil exploration in Alaska.

The poll findings come at a time when U.S. energy policy may be at a crossroads, with gas prices once again exceeding $3.50 a gallon and Republicans putting pressure on President Barack Obama to back increased oil production and exploration. Obama's preferred emphasis on a new generation of nuclear power plants in his "clean energy" plan may be undermined by the unfolding crisis resulting from the catastrophic earthquake in Japan. While continued higher gas prices would likely encourage consumers to conserve more gas, they could conceivably cripple an already weak economy and do serious damage to Obama's job approval ratings.

As the administration weighs its options, one policy Obama could champion without fear of much public resistance is developing alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power. From the high level of support Americans show for that option, it appears that it simultaneously satisfies their demand for energy and addresses their concerns about energy independence, while being sensitive to environmental concerns.