BOULDER, Colo. — After declining sharply from 2009 to 2011, consumer support for clean energy concepts has essentially stabilized, according to a survey by Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice. The survey of more than 1,000 adults in the United States found that the average percentage of consumers with a “very favorable” or “favorable” view of 13 clean energy concepts stands at 42 percent.

“Following a period of declining consumer favorability for clean energy in the past few years, there were relatively few changes in our survey responses from 2011 to 2012,” said managing director Clint Wheelock. “Many in the general public have already formed opinions about energy and environmental topics, and these views are holding steady despite the challenges in the space. In addition, despite efforts to educate consumers about the benefits of these energy and environmental topics, attitudes about these topics are slow or difficult to change.”

The percentages of survey respondents stating that they had either a “very favorable” or “favorable” view of each of the 13 concepts in 2012 were as follows:

Solar Energy: 69 percent

Wind Energy: 66 percent

Hybrid Vehicles: 61 percent

Electric Cars: 49 percent

Natural Gas Cars: 49 percent

Clean Coal: 42 percent

Nuclear Power: 41 percent

Biofuels: 39 percent

Smart Meters: 39 percent

Smart Grid: 36 percent

Carbon Offsets/Credits: 21 percent

LEED Certification: 20 percent

Cap and Trade: 15 percent

Publication date: 2/4/2013