By Ryan King
Most Americans don’t understand the risks of renewable energy or view traditional energy sources like oil and gas as essential to their livelihoods, a new poll found, as a Republican trifecta in Washington prepares to pass an extensive energy agenda early next year.
As many as 57% of US voters are not aware that the “United States is at an elevated risk of energy shortfalls,” compared to 43% who were well up on elevated risks of energy shortages, according to a poll from the American Energy Institute exclusively shared with The Post.
About two-thirds of US grids have been vulnerable to energy shortfalls in the past, per data from the US Energy Administration Agency, and the institute has noted that “regions with higher reliance on renewable energy are at an even higher risk.”
Meanwhile, only 41% of US voters were aware that fossil fuels can be used to preserve baked goods, 46% were aware they can be used to formulate medicines like aspirin and 49% knew that they can help create ammonia for fertilizers.
Other common fossil fuel uses such as plastic production (60%) and concrete (63%) were more widely known.
