Over the last several months, SOCM's E3 and Green-Collar Jobs Committees have been working on some material that was compiled by the Civil Society Institute. One piece was a survey that CSI conducted to gauge Americans' feelings on our energy choices. The results showed that a large majority of people from both sides of the aisle are ready to move to clean, renewable energy; That the debate about energy is not a partisan one.

Here are some of the highlights from the survey:

- More than eight out of 10 Americans (83 percent) - including 69 percent of Republicans, 84 percent of Independents, and 95 percent of Democrats -- agree with the following statement: 'The time is now for a new, grassroots-driven politics to realize a renewable energy future. Congress is debating large public investments in energy and we need to take action to ensure that our taxpayer dollars support renewable energy-- one that protects public health, promotes energy independence and the economic well being of all Americans."

- Even with high gasoline prices today, 85 percent of Americans - including 76 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Independents, and 91 percent of Democrats -- agree with the statement "(e)nergy development should be balanced with health and environmental concerns" versus just 13 percent who think "health and environmental concerns should not block energy development."

- More than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) - including 78 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of Independents, and 85 percent of Democrats -- agree with the following statement: 'Whether they are referred to as 'subsidies,' 'tax incentives' or 'loan guarantees,' the use of taxpayer dollars for energy projects are long-term investments. However, government incentives for energy must benefit public health and economic well-being. Clear guidelines are needed to direct public energy investments by shifting more of the risk from taxpayers and ratepayers and more to the companies involved.'"

See a summary of the full results here.