Americans’ Shifting Views on Energy Issues
The share of Republicans who say the country should prioritize oil, coal and natural gas over wind and solar power has doubled to 71% over the last six years.
A year into the second Trump administration, Republicans continue to sour on wind and solar energy: A majority says the United States should prioritize fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas, a reversal of Republican views in 2020. Meanwhile, Democratic support for wind and solar power remains very high, but support is slightly lower than earlier this decade.
These findings come from a new Pew Research Center survey of 3,524 U.S. adults conducted in March 2026, a few weeks into the U.S. military conflict with Iran that has led to tumult in the energy market internationally and higher gasoline prices in the U.S. This research builds on our long-standing interest in Americans’ views on energy sources and energy policy.
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