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Americans Rate Energy Independence Second Only to Jobs in Foreign Policy Priorities

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz and Craig Kafura
View of an oil rig in front of sunset.
Reuters

Energy independence is seen as very important bymore Americans than preventing nuclear proliferation, combating international terrorism, and maintaining superior military power worldwide

Key Findings

  • A majority of Americans (77%) say that reducing US dependence on foreign oil is a very important foreign policy goal of the United States.
  • Majorities of Americans support tax incentives for alternative energy sources (78%), increasing fuel efficiency for cars (65%), and new nuclear power plants (65%).
  • A narrow majority (53%) support deploying US troops to ensure the energy supply.
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About the Authors
Vice President, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years of experience designing and fielding international social and political surveys. Prior to joining the Council to lead its annual survey of American attitudes on US foreign policy, she served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department's Office of Research from 1992 to 2008.
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
headshot of Craig Kafura
Craig Kafura is the director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and a Pacific Forum Young Leader. At the Council, he coordinates work on public opinion and foreign policy and is a regular contributor to the public opinion and foreign policy blog Running Numbers.
headshot of Craig Kafura