California is expected to implement energy-conserving regulations any day now that manufacturers and retailers say will in effect ban the sale of big-screen TVs in the state. Other states are likely to follow the Golden State’s “green” initiative in the months ahead.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Americans oppose a law that would effectively ban the sale of big-screen televisions to save energy. Sixteen percent (16%) favor the idea, and 18% are not sure.

Most adults (53%) say being able to buy whatever kind of TV they want is more important than conserving energy. However, 37% rate conserving energy as more important.

Still, 54% are willing to pay more for a television that is more energy-efficient. Thirty percent (30%) are not, and 16% aren’t sure.

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Just 21% of Americans say the government should ban any electronic equipment or appliances that officials believe use too much energy. Sixty-three percent (63%) oppose government bans of that kind. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided.

California’s crackdown on energy-guzzling televisions hasn’t made many waves nationally though. Only 15% of adults say they have followed news stories about the law that may prevent the sale of big-screen TVs in the state, with four percent (4%) who are following very closely. Fifty-one percent (51%) are not following the story at all.

Women are more sympathetic than men to energy conservation efforts at the expense of big TVs, but they’re less willing to pay more for a television that is more energy-efficient.

Voters ages 18 to 29 are more supportive of the moves to conserve energy than are those in any other age group.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Republicans and 54% of adults not affiliated with either major political party say being able to buy whatever kind of TV they want is more important than conserving energy. Democrats are more closely divided on the question.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans favor a “cash for clunkers”-like government program to give cash rebates to people who buy new, energy-efficient appliances, but 49% think it’s a bad idea.

Most Americans have consistently said that finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy we now consume.

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