Lifestyles in US seeing shift in response to rising energy costs

Energy Daily: Ninety per cent of Americans have made changes in their daily lives to counter higher energy prices, according to an annual energy survey released by RBC Capital Markets, one of North America's leading energy investment banks. And while six out of 10 say they would rather pay more for cleaner fuels, an almost equal number of Americans (58 per cent) say it is more important to keep the green in their wallets than to participate in green initiatives.

The national survey of 1,007 U.S. respondents, released in conjunction with RBC Capital Markets' annual North American Energy Conference held this past week in New York, found that in response to higher prices at the pump, 76 per cent of those polled said they are driving less, 19 per cent are using or plan to take public transportation more often and 11 per cent have made or are considering carpool arrangements.

Four out of 10 workers said they have considered moving closer to their place of work in order to save on transportation costs, and 82 per cent of respondents said they will consider buying a hybrid when they purchase their next vehicle. Even Americans with incomes of more than $100,000 are feeling the energy pinch, with 48 per cent saying they are dining out less often and 21 per cent saving less for retirement….

A Hummer H3 in the US, shot by Thomas Doerfer, who has generously released it into the public domain via, Wikimedia Commons. Thank you, Thomas