Opinions on Renewable Fuel Vary in Cities, Country

A nationwide survey recently conducted on behalf of the Renewable Fuel Association indicated less enthusiasm for renewable fuel among respondents living in rural areas compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

The poll found that among registered voters, 62% of respondents said they agreed with the federal government’s renewable fuel standard (RFS). Nearly one-fifth (18%) said they opposed the RFS; 20% said they did not know or have an opinion on the question.

Sixty-nine percent approved of requiring automakers to build cars that would run on alternative fuels: biofuels, natural gas, or electricity.

Sixty-five percent said they supported the idea of offering tax incentives to develop the cellulosic ethanol industry.

The survey revealed a gap in how rural respondents felt about RFS. Fifty-two percent approved of RFS compared to 63% and 66% among suburbanites and urbanites, respectively.

On the question of tax incentives for developing cellulosic ethanol, 54% of rural respondents liked the concept, while the approval rate was 70% among city dwellers and 67% among suburban respondents.

The difference in opinion was similar on the question about requiring automakers to build cars that run on alternative fuels. Support for the idea was 62% in rural communities, 69% in suburbs, and 74% in cities. Full Survey  S