Last updated on: 9/28/2023 | Author: ProCon.org

Opinion Polls: Alternative Energy v. Fossil Fuels

Between 2011 and 2023, Pew Research and Gallup polls have shown increasing support for alternative energy over fossil fuel energy.


May 30-June 4, 2023

Question: % of US adults who say the US should…

Phase out the use of fossil fuels

31%

Use a mix of fossil fuels and renewables

68%

Source: Brian Kennedy, Cary Funk, and Alec Tyson, “Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to Address Climate Change,” pewresearch.org June 28, 2023


Jan. 24-30, 2022

Question: Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be the more important priority for addressing America’s energy supply?

Developing alternative sources, such as wind, solar and hydrogen technology

69%

Expanding exploration and production of oil, coal and natural gas

30%

Source: Alec Tyson, Cary Funk, and Brian Kennedy, “Americans Largely Favor U.S. Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050,” pewresearch.org, Mar 1, 2022


Apr. 20-29, 2021

Question: Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be the more important priority for addressing America’s energy supply?

Developing alternative sources, such as wind, solar and hydrogen technology

71%

Expanding exploration and production of oil, coal and natural gas

27%

Source: Alec Tyson, Cary Funk, and Brian Kennedy, “Americans Largely Favor U.S. Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050,” pewresearch.org, Mar 1, 2022


June 23, 2020

Question: % of US adults who say the more important priority for US energy supply should be…

developing alternative energies

79%

expanding fossil fuels

20%

Source: Alec Tyson and Brian Kennedy, “Two-Thirds of Americans Think Government Should Do More on Climate,” pewresearch.org, June 23, 2020


Nov. 25, 2019

Question: % of US adults who say the more important priority for US energy supply should be…

developing alternative energies

77%

expanding fossil fuels

22%

Source: Cary Funk and Meg Hefferon, “U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy,” pewresearch.org, Nov. 25, 2019


Mar. 22, 2019

Question: Finally, we’d like to ask you about proposals to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal in the U.S. within the next 10 or 20 years, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Would you strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose establishing policies aimed at achieving this?

favor reduction of fossil fuel use

60%

oppose reduction of fossil fuel use

36%

Source: Justin McCarthy, “Most Americans Support Reducing Fossil Fuel Use,” news.gallup.com, Mar. 22, 2019


Mar. 8, 2018

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

73%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

21%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Mar. 5, 2017

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

71%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

23%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Jan. 23, 2017

Question: % of US adults who say ___ should be the more important priority for addressing America’s energy supply

alternative sources such as wind, solar

65%

expand production of oil, coal, natural gas

27%

Source: Brian Kennedy, “Two-Thirds of Americans Gave Priority to Developing Alternative Energy over Fossil Fuels,” pewresearch.org, Jan. 23, 2017m (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Mar. 6, 2016

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

73%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

21%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


July 1, 2015

Question: Which should be the more important priority for America’s energy supply?

alternative sources such as wind, solar

60%

expand production of oil, coal, natural gas

30%

Source: Pew Research Center, “Americans, Politics and Science Issues,” pewresearch.org, July 1, 2015


Dec. 8, 2014

Question: More important energy priority for the country ___

alternative sources such as wind, solar

60%

expand production of oil, coal, natural gas

30%

Source: Pew Research Center, “As U.S. Energy Production Grows, Public Policy Views Show Little Change,” pewresearch.org, Dec 18, 2014


Mar. 9, 2014

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

64%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

32%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Mar. 10, 2013

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

59%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

31%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Feb. 2013

Question: The priority for addressing the nation’s energy supply should be ____

develop alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen

54%

expand exploration and production of oil, coal, and natural gas

34%

Source: Bruce Drake, “Public Puts Priority on Developing Alternative Energy Sources,” pewresearch.org, Mar. 12, 2013


Oct. 2012

Question: The priority for addressing the nation’s energy supply should be ____

develop alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen

47%

expand exploration and production of oil, coal, and natural gas

39%

Source: Bruce Drake, “Public Puts Priority on Developing Alternative Energy Sources,” pewresearch.org, Mar. 12, 2013


Mar. 11, 2012

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

59%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

34%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Mar. 6, 2011

Question: Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the US should follow right now?

emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind or solar power

66%

emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies

26%

Source: Gallup, “Energy,” news.gallup.com (accessed Aug. 18, 2020)


Mar. 2011

Question: The priority for addressing the nation’s energy supply should be ____

develop alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen

63%

expand exploration and production of oil, coal, and natural gas

29%

Source: Bruce Drake, “Public Puts Priority on Developing Alternative Energy Sources,” pewresearch.org, Mar. 12, 2013