Nimby-ism is on the decline and Americans are changing their driving and living habits in the face of rising energy costs. The results of a national survey of some 1,000 U.S. citizens has been released by New York City-based investment banker RBC Capital Markets. The shows a change in attitude as well as a change in the actual behavior of U.S. citizens, says Kurt Hallead, director of global energy research for RBC Capital Markets. See RBC Capital Markets Survey for the complete survey results. While six out of 10 say they would rather pay more for cleaner fuels, an almost equal number (58%) say it is more important to keep money in their wallets than to participate in green initiatives, he adds. Released in conjunction with RBC Capital Markets' annual North American Energy Conference being held in New York recently, the survey showed that six out of 10 say they would rather pay more for cleaner fuels, an almost equal number (58%) say it is more important to keep money in their wallets than to participate in green initiatives. Some other results: due to higher pump prices, 76% of those polled are driving less, 19% are using or plan to use public transportation more often and 11% have made or are considering carpooling; four out of 10 are considering moving closer to their work, and 82% will consider buying a hybrid when they purchase their next vehicle. And nimby-ism is on the deline, he said. The survey showed that 16% oppose construction of any energy plant or facility in their hometown, down from 23% in 2007; 71% would support an alternative-energy system in their hometown, including a wind or solar facility (up from 58% last year); 34% would support a clean coal technology plant (up from 27%); 32% would support a liquefied natural gas facility (up from 25%); and 21% would support a nuclear power plant (up from 17%). Eight of 10 oppose construction of an oil refinery in their hometown, despite that constrained refining capacity is part of the pump-price problem. "Americans are feeling the pain of soaring energy prices and it appears they are actually beginning to grasp the severity of our energy dependence," Hallead says. "The dilemma has always been that the public wants solutions to the country's energy problems, but not solutions that would overly impinge on their day-to-day lives. That is starting to change and people are taking action." John A. Sullivan, News Editor, Oil and Gas Investor, www.OilandGasInvestor.com, jsullivan@hartenergy.com