The Hill News

The American public increasingly favors the idea of new energy sources but is less concerned about global warming than it was eight months ago.

According to a Rasmussen report out Sunday, 65 percent of Americans think finding new energy sources is better than reducing current energy consumption. These respondents divided favor between renewable (59 percent) and non-renewable sources (29 percent). On drilling, more than half are in favor of offshore wells, and 47 percent support deepwater drilling.

On global warming, 57 percent say it is a "serious issue." This figure has decreased consistently since November 2009's "Climate-gate" scandal, in which scientists associated with the UK's Climatic Research Institute were accused of burying data that contradicted global warming.

Overall, four in ten believe that steps to protect the environment and steps to boost the economy contradict each other -- the lowest number on the question since last fall.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 likely voters on July 22 and 23.