Survey Shows Americans Want Clean, Affordable Energy
Posted April 30, 2012 07:59 am | Public News Service
Photo credit: Solar farm -
abengoabioenergy.com
By Stephanie Carroll Carson
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida has one of the highest per-capita electricity usage rates in the country, with utility bills climbing even higher during the hot summer months. It's one reason why Floridians join a majority of Americans in wanting more renewable energy, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Civil Society Institute. It found that a majority of Republicans, independents and Democrats would all like Congress to work on an energy policy that supports renewable energy, protects public health, and promotes energy independence.
Links:
•
Citizens Action Coalition
•
Civil Society Institute
•
Solar Tribune - What is a Solar
Farm?
Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, says the poll shows the political divide over energy issues does not reflect the will of the people.
"Americans want clean energy. Americans want
affordable energy, and it's the influence of the moneyed
interests of the utility and energy lobbyists that's
creating this gridlock."
Olson says the cost of energy is driving consumers to
want energy policies that will promote more affordable
options.
"A lot of it has to do with prices at the pump, prices
on their monthly utility bills that are ever increasing.
And, Americans just want politicians to stop bickering."
Olson says the survey shows two thirds of Americans
think political leaders should help steer the U.S. to
greater use of cleaner energy sources.
"Renewable energy and energy efficiency are the
investments that create far more jobs, provide cleaner
energy and provide affordable energy to the public,
which we believe is an essential human service and a
right."
On the practical side of energy policy, researchers at
the University of Central Florida have discovered a way
to make ethanol from orange peels, which are plentiful
in the Sunshine State. A facility to do just that is
planned in Hendry County and is expected to produce four
million gallons of ethanol a year.
Links and photo by the Observer