Americans are distraught over the BP oil spill, but not willing to pay higher taxes for renewable energy R&D
In the wake of the BP Oil Spill disaster, more and more Americans are finally waking up to the fact that its high time to develop solar energy resources, and other renewable energy sources. While they may be wanting it, people in the U.S. do not appear willing to do what it takes to advance renewable energy research and policies.
Even though a recent poll shows that the majority of Americans expect alternative energy to overtake oil as a major fuel source within 25 years, most are not willing to pay a few extra cents at the gasoline pump to help advance renewable energy R&D.
How can there be such a big disconnect between the reactions to the oil spill and the willingness to prevent further disasters in the future? While you contemplate that question, consider this video of why the BP oil spill even occurred in the first place:
The New York Times/CBS News poll sought to determine public opinion both about the spill in general, and the Obama Administration’s responses thereto. The President got poor marks overall, with 56% of the people polled stating that they believe he doesn’t have a clear plan for addressing the oil spill. More specifically:
“The spill isn’t the only issue on which the president is seen as lacking a plan of action: Just 41 percent say Mr. Obama has a clear plan for developing new sources of energy, while 45 percent say he has no clear plan. And when it comes to creating jobs, just 34 percent say he has a clear plan; 54 percent say he does not.”
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“One in two Americans say they are not very or not at all confident that BP will compensate people affected by the spill. Just ten percent are very confident that the company will do so. Most Americans believe Mr. Obama has at least some control over BP making payments.”
Drill baby drill leads to spill baby spill
With results like these, you might find the following poll results surprising:
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“Now I’d like to ask you about some specific energy proposals being considered by Congress. For each, please tell me whether you favor or oppose including this in a comprehensive energy bill. . . .” |
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| Favor | Oppose | Unsure | ||||
| % | % | % | ||||
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“Requirements that utilities produce more energy from wind, solar or other renewable sources” |
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6/10-13/10 |
87 | 9 | 4 | |||
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“Tougher efficiency standards for buildings and major appliances” |
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6/10-13/10 |
78 | 17 | 5 | |||
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“Expanded exploration and development of coal, oil and gas in the U.S.” |
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6/10-13/10 |
68 | 26 | 5 | |||
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“Limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions” |
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6/10-13/10 |
66 | 29 | 6 | |||
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“Incentives for increased development of nuclear power” |
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6/10-13/10 |
50 | 42 | 9 | |||
So, where does this leave us? In my opinion, its going to take a lot more PR (and hopefully not more distressing images of the BP oil spill) before Americans believe that developing solar energy resources is a high enough priority to warrant higher taxes.
Tags: bp oil spill, develop solar energy, oil spill, public opinion, reactions oil spill, solar energy, solar energy resources, solar power
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