Gallup: For the first time, Americans care more about energy than environment

For the first time since Gallup started asking the question, a majority of Americans prioritizes energy exploration over environmental protection.

Americans still prefer the idea of emphasizing conservation over increased energy production, but the gap is as small as it has been since 2001. Only 45 percent expect a massive energy shortage in the next five years — in 2008, 62 percent expected a shortage soon.

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