Americans Think U.S. Headed Wrong Way on Energy, New Poll Finds

The vast majority of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction when it comes to energy policy and want more leadership when it comes to dealing with future needs, according to a new poll. In survey of 3,406 Americans conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, less than 14 percent of respondents said they think the country is headed in the right direction on energy, with 76 percent saying they are worried about the nation’s lack of progress on energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. Eighty-four percent said they were worried about the nation’s reliance on foreign oil. When asked to rate the performance of numerous institutions and individuals, respondents were most satisfied with their own personal performances, followed by scientists and engineers, and then research institutions. They were least satisfied with the government and business leaders; Congress ranked last with only 8 percent of respondents calling its performance satisfactory.