Consensus on Solutions

Finding 2: There is substantial consensus on the proposals that the nation should pursue, particularly alternative energy, conservation and incentives to become more efficient. These seem promising to the public, but they may not have realistic assumptions about how quickly and easily these alternatives can be achieved.

Majorities of the public see alternative energy as a good solution for our energy problems and possibly for our economic problems as well. They’re willing to try it, and they say they’re willing to pay for it as well.

In the context of the global financial crisis, nearly every issue is arguably an economic one. In fact, the public frames this as a matter of economics even more than environmentalism. For example, more than three-quarters (77 percent) say that investing in alternative energy is a better way to move the economy forward than drilling for fossil fuels. Some 86 percent agree that investing in alternative energy will create many new jobs (45 percent believe this strongly).

Many say they’re willing to pay for alternative energy as well: 6 in 10 say they would pay more for electricity generated by renewable sources and half are willing to pay higher taxes to fund development of alternative energy sources. And while there’s an overall reluctance to support proposals that directly raise driving costs, 77 percent agree that electric companies should be required to use more alternative sources of energy even if that increases the cost in the short run.

There are a number of other proposals that command substantial support in the survey:

• Investing in more railways for high-speed shipping (84 percent)
• Tax rebates to individuals who reduce energy consumption (81 percent) and tax rebates to businesses (79 percent)
• Requiring higher gas mileage for cars and trucks (78 percent)
• Setting higher emissions standards for businesses (78 percent)
• Requiring developers to build more energy-efficient homes (74 percent)
• Providing tax credits to people who buy hybrid cars (73 percent)
• Rewarding businesses that reduce carbon emissions and penalizing those that don’t (72 percent)
• Spending more tax money on public transportation (71 percent)
• Taking steps to gain energy independence even if it increases the cost of gas, electricity and heating fuel (68 percent)

But do they understand what it means?

That said, the public may not fully grasp what alternative or renewable energy is, nor what it would take to get it into operation.

Fully half the public (51 percent) cannot accurately name a renewable energy source, with 21 percent giving a wrong answer and 30 percent admitting they don’t know. Although most of the public is aware that it will take a while to develop alternative energy to where it will be a major part of our energy mix — 77 percent say it will take more than five years — people significantly overestimate how much renewable energy the United States uses now. Some 53 percent don’t know that less than 10 percent of the United States’ energy comes from renewable sources. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says only 7 percent of energy use comes from renewables.¹

This raises the question of how firm the public’s support for alternative energy is, and whether it’s based on realistic expectations. If the public becomes frustrated with the pace, the practical difficulties or the cost of alternative energy, support could fall. It will be crucial for leaders and the media to guide expectations. On this front, there’s much to be done to move the public up the Energy Learning Curve™.