New National Survey Conducted By Harris Interactive(R) for the
Biotechnology Industry Organization Reveals Candidates' Support for Biofuel
Production May Be an Issue in 2006 Elections
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Four in five U.S. adults (80%)
strongly or somewhat agree that national and state governments are not
doing enough to promote production of biofuels -- fuels made from
agricultural crops or plant matter -- according to a new survey released
today by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The survey,
conducted by Harris Interactive(R), also found that 82% of adults say
national and state governments should provide financial incentives to
biofuels producers to encourage the production and availability of
biofuels. More than two out of three adults (69%) would use American-made
biofuels even if these fuels cost slightly more than conventional gas. And
more than eight of every 10 (84%) say they would be at least somewhat
likely to support federal and state political candidates who favor
providing incentives to promote increased production and availability of
biofuels throughout the United States.
Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, said, "Developing domestic
biofuels and ending our over-reliance on foreign oil appear to be top
concerns among Americans in this election year, our survey finds. Reducing
dependence on oil and lessening environmental impacts are important to our
nation's future economic growth and competitiveness. A strong majority of
Americans clearly support federal and state financial incentives to promote
development of biofuels such as ethanol that can help end our addiction to
oil. And they are ready to support political candidates who favor such
incentives."
The survey asked respondents how strongly they agreed or disagreed with
certain statements about biofuels. Half of U.S. adults (50%) strongly
agreed and a third (30%) somewhat agreed that "Federal and state
governments are not doing enough to promote the production of biofuels."
When asked, "Do you think the production and availability of biofuel should
be encouraged by national and state governments providing financial
incentives to biofuel producers?" four out of five respondents (82%) said,
"Yes."
"The American people clearly have spoken. They recognize the production
of biofuels is a national priority," stated Greenwood. "We see support for
continuing and expanding existing tax credits and other biofuels production
incentives. Next year, Congress will have the opportunity to fund advanced
research and provide additional incentives that will help build a growing
biofuel industry that will continue to enhance our national security and
create new jobs going forward. With industrial biotechnology processes now
available that transform crop residues such as corn stover, wheat straw and
rice straw into ethanol, America could soon meet an even larger portion of
its transportation fuel needs with biofuels."
More than half (57%) of U.S. adults were able to correctly define
biofuels as fuel made from agricultural crops or plant matter.
"BIO supports the production of ethanol from all feedstocks," Greenwood
stated. "Agricultural biotechnology is helping to increase corn yields,
while industrial biotechnology is helping to convert corn starch and crop
residues into ethanol more efficiently. With ongoing advances in
biotechnology, biofuels can help America meet nearly half its
transportation-fuel needs by the middle of this century."
The survey also asked adults to rate the importance to them "that
biofuel production in America helps to accomplish" the goals of creating
jobs in rural areas, making America less dependent on foreign oil, and
reducing gas prices. Eight of 10 respondents (81%) rated making America
less dependent on foreign oil very important or important. Seven of 10
(73%) rated decreasing gas prices very important or important. And lastly,
nearly seven in 10 (68%) rated creating jobs in rural areas very important
or important.
Harris Interactive conducted the survey on behalf of the Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO) by telephone within the United States between
October 5 and October 8, 2006 among 1,031 adults (aged 18 and over).
Figures for age, sex, geographic region, and race were weighted where
necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the
population. With a pure probability sample of 1,031 one could say with a
ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling
error of +/- 3 percentage points. However that does not take other sources
of error into account.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across
the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the
research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and
environmental biotechnology products. http://www.bio.org
Upcoming Events
BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2007
Feb. 12-14, 2007 New York City
2007 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
March 21-24, 2007 Orlando, Fla.
BIO International Convention
May 6-9, 2007 Boston, MA
SOURCE Biotechnology Industry Organization
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.bio.org/
CONTACT:
Paul Winters of the Biotechnology Industry
Organization, +1-202-962-9237
|
