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Trend: Should the U.S. Emphasize Production of More Oil, Gas, and Coal Supplies, or Emphasize More Conservation of Existing Supplies?

Trend: Do You Strongly Favor, Somewhat Favor, Somewhat Oppose, or Strongly Oppose the Use of Nuclear Energy as One of the Ways to Provide Electricity for the U.S.?

Overall, do you think President Obama is or is not doing enough to solve the country's energy problems?

	Doing enough	Not enough	Doing too much (vol.)	No opinion
2011 Mar 25-27	28%	65	*	6
* Less than 0.5%

Which comes closer to your view about increasing the number of nuclear power plants in the country -- [ROTATED: nuclear power is necessary to help solve the country's current energy problems, (or) the dangers of nuclear power are too great, even if it would help solve the country's current energy problems]?

	Nuclear power is necessary	Nuclear power is too dangerous	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Mar 25-27 ^	46	48	6
2001 May 18-20	49	46	5
^ Asked of a half sample

Generally speaking, do you think nuclear power plants in the United States are safe or not safe?

	Safe	Not safe	No opinion
2011 Mar 25-27 ^	58%	36	6
^ Asked of a half sample

Next, I'm going to read a list of problems facing the country. For each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all? First, how much do you personally worry about -- [The availability and affordability of energy]?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Only a little	Not at all	No opinion

2011 Mar 3-6	46	33	14	7	*
2010 Mar 4-7	38	37	18	6	*
2008 Mar 6-9	47	35	13	4	1
2007 Mar 11-14	43	34	17	6	*
2006 Mar 13-16	48	35	12	5	*
2005 Mar 7-10	39	26	26	8	1
2004 Mar 8-11	35	28	25	11	1
2003 Mar 24-25	27	36	25	11	1
2002 Mar 4-7	32	30	29	9	*
2001 Mar 5-7	46	31	16	6	1
* Less than 0.5%

Do you think Barack Obama is doing a good job or a poor job in handling each of the following issues as president? How about -- [Improving the nation's energy policy]?

	Good job	Poor job	Fair/Mixed (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6	41	47	6	6
2010 Mar 4-7	43	44	5	8
2009 Mar 5-8 ^	72	21	2	4

*George W. Bush*
2008 Mar 6-9	23	67	6	4
2007 Mar 11-14	26	63	7	4
2006 Mar 13-16	25	63	7	5
2005 Mar 7-10	32	54	7	7
2004 Mar 8-11	34	51	8	7
2003 Mar 3-5	39	45	7	9
2002 Mar 4-7	46	36	8	10
2001 Apr 6-9 ^	54	36	3	7
2001 Mar 5-7 ^	58	29	6	7
(vol.) = Volunteered response
^ Do you think George W. Bush/Barack Obama will do a good job or a poor job …

With which one of these statements about the environment and energy production do you most agree -- [ROTATED: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy supplies -- such as oil, gas and coal -- which the United States produces (or) development of U.S. energy supplies -- such as oil, gas and coal -- should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent]?

	Environment	Develop- ment of U.S. energy supplies	Both/ Equally (vol.)	Neither/ Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6	41	50	4	1	4
2010 May 24-25	55	39	3	1	2
2010 Mar 4-7	43	50	2	2	3
2009 Mar 5-8	47	46	3	1	3
2008 Mar 6-9	50	41	4	2	3
2007 Mar 11-14	58	34	3	2	3
2006 Mar 13-16	49	42	4	2	3
2005 Mar 7-10	52	39	4	2	3
2004 Mar 8-11	48	44	3	1	4
2003 Mar 3-5	49	40	5	2	4
2002 Mar 4-7	52	40	3	2	3
2001 Mar 5-7	52	36	6	2	4
(vol.) = Volunteered response

How serious would you say the energy situation is in the United States -- very serious, fairly serious, or not at all serious?

	Very serious	Fairly serious	Not at all serious	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6	45	47	7	2
2010 Mar 4-7	33	54	11	1
2009 Mar 5-8	42	51	5	1
2008 Mar 6-9	46	49	5	1
2007 Mar 11-14	37	55	7	1
2006 Mar 13-16	41	51	7	1
2005 Mar 7-10	31	56	10	3
2004 Mar 8-11	29	57	12	2
2003 Mar 3-5	28	59	11	2
2002 Mar 4-7	22	63	12	3
2001 Jun 28-Jul 1	47	43	8	2
2001 May 7-9	58	36	4	2
2001 Mar 5-7	31	59	9	1
1991 Feb 7-10	40	44	14	2
1990 Sep 27-30	32	46	19	3
1990 Sep 10-11	28	48	21	3
1990 Aug 9-12	28	45	23	4
1979 Aug 3-6	47	35	16	3
1979 Jun 1-4	37	36	24	3
1979 Apr 27-May 4	44	36	16	4
1979 Feb 23-26	43	42	13	2
1978 Mar 31-Apr 3	41	39	15	5
1977 Nov 18-21	40	42	14	4
1977 Sep 30-Oct 3	40	40	16	4
1977 Aug 5-8	38	43	13	6
1977 Jun 3-6	40	42	13	5
1977 Apr 29-May 2	44	40	11	5
1977 Apr 1-4	41	39	16	4

Which of the following approaches to solving the nation's energy problems do you think the U.S. should follow right now -- [ROTATED: emphasize production of more oil, gas and coal supplies (or) emphasize more conservation by consumers of existing energy supplies]?

	More production	More conservation	Both/ Equally (vol.)	Neither/ Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6 ^	41	48	6	1	3
2010 Mar 4-7	36	52	6	3	2
2008 Mar 6-9	29	61	5	3	2
2007 Mar 11-14	26	64	5	1	3
2006 Mar 13-16	35	55	6	1	2
2005 Mar 7-10	28	61	7	2	2
2004 Mar 8-11	31	59	6	2	2
2003 Mar 3-5	29	60	7	2	2
2002 Mar 4-7	30	60	6	2	2
2001 May 7-9	35	47	14	2	2
2001 Mar 5-7	33	56	8	1	2
^ Asked of a half sample
(vol.) = Volunteered response

Which of the following approaches to solving the nation's energy problems do you think the U.S. should follow right now -- [ROTATED: emphasize production of more oil, gas and coal supplies (or) emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind and solar power]?

	Emphasize oil, gas, coal	Emphasize alternative sources	Both/ Equally (vol.)	Neither/ Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6 ^	26	66	6	1	1
^ Asked of a half sample
(vol.) = Volunteered response

Do you think that the United States is or is not likely to face a critical energy shortage during the next five years?

	Yes, is	No, is not	Already facing one (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6	61	36	1	2
2010 Mar 4-7	45	51	*	3
2008 Mar 6-9	62	34	1	2
2007 Mar 11-14	53	44	*	3
2006 Mar 13-16	56	39	1	4
2005 Mar 7-10	52	45	*	3
2004 Mar 8-11	49	47	1	3
2003 Mar 3-5	56	40	1	3
2002 Mar 4-7	48	49	1	2
2001 Mar 5-7	60	36	1	3
1978 Nov 10-13	45	41	4	10
(vol.) = Volunteered response

Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity for the U.S.?

	Strongly favor	Some- what favor	Some- what oppose	Strongly oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6	27	30	20	18	6
2010 Mar 4-7	28	34	17	16	4
2009 Mar 5-8 ^	27	32	23	14	4
2007 Mar 11-14 ^	22	31	23	20	4
2006 Mar 13-16 ^	22	34	19	19	7
2005 Mar 7-10 ^	17	37	22	21	3
2004 Mar 8-11 ^	19	37	20	19	5
2001 Mar 5-7 ^	20	26	28	20	6
1994 Feb 7-14 †	21	36	20	17	6
^Asked of a half sample
† U.S. Council for Energy Awareness/Gallup poll

Do you think the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska should or should not be opened up for oil exploration?

	Yes, should	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6 ^	49	45	6
2008 Mar 6-9	43	52	6
2005 Mar 7-10	42	53	5
2002 Mar 18-20	35	56	9
^ Asked of a half sample

Do you favor or oppose increasing offshore drilling for oil and gas in U.S. coastal areas?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Mar 3-6 ^	60	37	3
2010 May 24-25	50	46	4
^ Asked of a half sample

(Asked of those who oppose increased offshore drilling) Do you oppose any drilling for oil and gas in U.S. coastal areas, or do you only oppose increased drilling for oil and gas beyond what is currently being done?

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

	Favor increased offshore drilling	Oppose increased drilling only	Oppose any drilling	No opinion
2010 May 24-25	50%	27	19	4

Next, I'm going to read a list of actions Congress could take this year. Please say whether you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose Congress doing each of the following this year. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Pass an energy bill that expands drilling and exploration for oil and gas

	Strongly favor	Favor	Oppose	Strongly oppose	No opinion
2011 Jan 14-16	32%	33	18	15	2

Pass an energy bill that provides incentives for using solar and other alternative energy sources

	Strongly favor	Favor	Oppose	Strongly oppose	No opinion
2011 Jan 14-16	47%	36	10	5	1

Have you, personally, taken any steps this year to make your home more energy efficient, or not?

	Yes, have	No, have not	No opinion
2009 Nov 20-22	68%	32	1

(Asked of those who have taken steps to make their home more energy efficient) Did you take steps to make your home more energy efficient -- [ROTATED: mostly to save money (or) mostly to improve the environment]?

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

	*2009 Nov 20-22*
	%
Taken steps to make home more energy efficient	68
(Mostly to save money)	(48)
(Mostly to help environment)	(18)
(Unspecified)	(2)

Not taken steps	32

No opinion	1

Would you prefer the government to increase, decrease, or not change the financial support and incentives it gives for producing energy from alternative sources such as wind and solar?

	Increase	Decrease	Not change	No opinion
2009 Mar 5-8	77%	8	13	3

Would you prefer the government to increase, decrease or not change the financial support and incentives it gives for producing energy from traditional sources such as oil and gas?

	Increase	Decrease	Not change	No opinion
2009 Mar 5-8	39%	30	28	3

If a presidential candidate said that the energy problem would not be solved unless Americans changed their habits to use less energy, would that make you -- [ROTATED: more likely to vote for him, would it not make any difference, (or would it make you) less likely to vote for him]?

	More likely to vote for	No difference	Less likely to vote for	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	28%	54	17	1

Thinking now about some of the solutions offered to address the energy situation in the United States, please say whether you would be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who supported -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. Easing restrictions on offshore domestic drilling

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	57%	31	9	3
(vol.) = Volunteered response

B. Suspending the federal gasoline tax for several months

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	46%	39	13	2

C. Building more nuclear power plants

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	47%	41	9	3

D. Authorizing a $150 billion investment by the federal government in research on bio-fuels and clean energy sources

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	64%	25	8	3
(vol.) = Volunteered response

E. Offering a $300 million government prize for the development of an electric car with a long-lasting battery

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	50%	34	14	2

F. Establishing tax incentives to encourage energy conservation

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	69%	20	9	2

G. Raising fuel mileage standards on vehicles

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	68%	20	10	2
(vol.) = Volunteered response

H. Imposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	58%	31	7	4

I. Establishing price controls on gasoline

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	62%	28	8	2

J. Releasing up to 10% of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve

	More likely to vote for	Less likely to vote for	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
2008 Jul 25-27	53%	33	10	4
(vol.) = Volunteered response

Please tell me whether you think each of the following deserves a great deal of blame, some blame, not much blame, or no blame at all for the country's current energy problems. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. The current Bush administration

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	49%	36	9	5	1
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	38%	43	10	8	1
2001 May 18-20	20%	34	18	26	2
^ Asked of a half sample

B. U.S. oil companies

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	60%	30	5	4	1
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	49%	40	5	4	2
2001 May 18-20	52%	35	6	5	2
^ Asked of a half sample

C. Environmental laws and regulations

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	25%	46	16	10	3
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	19%	49	14	15	4
2001 May 18-20	23%	47	14	12	4
^ Asked of a half sample

D. Foreign countries that produce oil

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	46%	39	8	6	1
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	31%	46	12	9	2
2001 May 18-20	44%	37	9	8	2
^ Asked of a half sample

E. American consumers

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	31%	47	11	10	1
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	25%	54	10	10	1
2001 May 18-20	22%	47	13	17	1
^ Asked of a half sample

F. Congress

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	44%	45	7	2	2
2001 May 18-20	31%	51	9	6	3
^ Asked of a half sample

G. U.S. automobile companies

	Great deal	Some	Not much	None at all	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	31%	46	11	10	2
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	27%	52	10	10	1
^ Asked of a half sample

Overall, do you think President Bush is or is not doing enough to solve the country's energy problems?

	Doing enough	Not enough	Doing too much (vol.)	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1 ^	17%	78	2	3
2006 Mar 10-12 ^	24%	71	*	5
2001 May 18-20	38%	55	1	6
* Less than 0.5%
(vol.) = Volunteered response
^ Asked of a half sample

Who do you think should have the primary responsibility for spending money to develop alternative sources of energy to gasoline -- [ROTATED: the government, the automobile companies, (or) energy or oil companies]?

	Government	Automobile companies	Energy/Oil companies	No opinion
2008 May 30-Jun 1	49%	30	12	9
2006 Mar 10-12	38%	24	33	5

Overall, would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the construction of a nuclear energy plant in your area as one of the ways to provide electricity for the U.S.?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

	Strongly favor	Some- what favor	Some- what oppose	Strongly oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2007 Mar 11-14	13	27	15	44	2
2006 Mar 13-16	14	28	18	37	3
2005 Mar 7-10	11	24	19	44	2
2004 Mar 8-11	10	27	22	37	4
2001 Mar 5-7	11	23	19	44	3

Now, thinking about the cost and availability of electricity, gasoline, natural gas, and other forms of energy, would you say the country -- [ROTATED: is in a state of crisis, has major problems, has minor problems, (or) has no problems at all]?

	State of crisis	Major problems	Minor problems	No problems	No opinion
2006 Mar 10-12	12%	49	35	3	1
2003 Feb 17-19	9%	40	44	6	1
2001 May 18-20 ^	12%	59	25	3	1
2001 Jan 15-16	14%	54	29	3	*
* Less than 0.5%
^ Asked of a half sample

Looking ahead, do you think -- [ROTATED: the global supply of oil will always be able to keep up with the demand for oil around the world, (or do you think) the world will eventually run short of oil sometime in the future]?

	Always keep up with demand	Will eventually run short of oil	No opinion
2006 Mar 10-12	20%	77	3

Just your best guess, how many years do you think it will be before the world runs short of oil?

[ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAY WORLD'S SUPPLY OF OIL WILL EVENTUALLY RUN SHORT]

	2006 Mar 10-12
	%
Less than 25 years	39
Twenty-five years to less than 50 years	16
Fifty years to less than 100 years	22
One hundred years or more	14
No opinion	8

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

	2006 Mar 10-12
	%
Will always keep up with the demand	20

Will eventually run short of oil	77
(In less than 25 years)	(30)
(In 25 to less than 50 years)	(13)
(In 50 to less than 100 years)	(17)
(In 100 years or more)	(11)
(Unspecified)	(6)

No opinion	3

Just your best guess, how likely is it that terrorists will attempt a major attack against oil producing facilities or oil supplies somewhere in the world within the next 12 months -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

	Very likely	Some- what likely	Not too likely	Not at all likely	No opinion
2006 Mar 10-12	35%	42	15	6	1

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