Majority of Americans Support Increased Funding for Clean Energy Research

Originally posted at the Breakthrough Institute

In an era of concern about federal spending and deficits, a large majority of Americans (even among Republicans) support federal investment in energy research and development, finds a recent Pew survey.

"There is broad public support for a variety of other proposals to address the nation's energy situation. About eight-in-ten (79%) favor requiring better fuel efficiency for cars, trucks and SUVs, and 74% support increasing federal funding for research on wind, solar and hydrogen technology."

While the poll finds an overall decline in Republican support since 2008, a majority of Republicans still support these policies, with 64% of Republicans favoring increasing federal funding for alternative energy technology, down from 85% in 2008, and 79% supporting better fuel efficiency for automobiles, down 13 points from two years ago.

Meanwhile, Democrat support has steadily increased in the past few years, with 84% in favor of increased federal investment in clean energy technologies and 89% endorsing higher fuel efficiency standards.