Americans would cut nuke programs to focus on renewable energy — poll

Americans would cut nuke programs
to focus on renewable energy — poll
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Many Americans think the government should focus its energy research on renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, and save money by trimming nuclear and fossil fuel programs, according to a poll released by conservation organizations.
Given that the incoming GOP Congress is considering cutting the Department of Energy, respondents were asked to choose where the federal government should spend its dwindling energy research and development dollars. Forty-two percent of those surveyed cited renewable energy as their top priority, while 22 percent chose energy efficiency and conservation technologies.
An additional 15 percent chose natural gas; 9 percent said nuclear energy; 7 percent selected fossil fuels such as oil and coal, and the rest didn't know or didn't answer.
David Nemtzow, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, said at a news conference Thursday that nuclear power was singled out by 44 percent of those polled as the first energy source that should be cut if the new Congress seeks reductions in the Energy Department's budget. Twenty-nine percent said funding for fossil fuels should be the primary target of budget cuts.
In addition, 74 percent of respondents said the government should provide tax incentives and other federal support to expand the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary said the poll bolsters other evidence that the public strongly supports finding ways to increase energy efficiency. O'Leary said she was hesitant to use the results to seek cuts in nuclear programs.
"I think the difficulty with permitting simply a poll to shape one's long-term plans is we all know that polls can change," she told reporters.
The survey of 1,000 randomly selected voters was conducted by telephone between Dec. 7-12.