BRUSSELS, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Citizens in the European Union are more concerned by energy prices than reducing energy consumption and curbing pollution, according to a recent report.
According to the poll Europeans are optimistic about the potential of renewable technologies and believe that research into new energy technologies should be made a top priority, the Cordis News service reported.
Approximately 24,000 citizens were interviewed and asked to respond to 16 energy related questions. More residents were worried about unemployment than energy issues.
"Europeans recognize that new technologies could have a very big impact on the energy system of the future and they expect more cooperation at European level to develop such technologies," said European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. "We will work with Member States and industry to get the most out of investments."
For many Europeans who did mention energy, high prices are the most important issue. A top priority for 45 percent of respondents was guaranteeing the low price of energy for consumers and 35 percent regard energy supply security as an important priority.
