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, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Twelve percent (12%) aren’t sure what they think of the $300-million plan that will provide cash rebates up to $200 to Americans who buy energy-efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and the like. Unlike the just-concluded “cash for clunkers” plan to encourage purchase of newer, more energy-efficient cars, no trade-ins are required.

Adults under 40 like the appliance rebate program more than their elders. Democrats favor it over Republicans by a 58% to 16% margin, while adults not affiliated with either party are evenly divided. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of investors oppose the plan.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of all Americans say “cash for clunkers” programs for cars and appliances are not a cost-effective way to improve the environment, but 31% disagree and believe the programs are cost-effective. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure.

Americans are slightly more supportive of expanding “cash for clunkers” programs to things other than cars to help the environment and encourage greater energy efficiency. Thirty-eight percent (38%) support more such programs, but 47% are opposed and 15% are undecided.

Again, younger American favor the “cash for clunkers” concept more than those who are older. Most Democrats (56%) like the idea, while even more Republicans (76%) don’t. Unaffiliateds are closely divided.

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Most Americans were opposed to the creation of the "cash for clunkers" program for cars, and 54% opposed providing more money to keep it going after the initial $950 million in funding ran out. At President Obama's urging, Congress allocated an additional $2 billion for the program.

According to Business Week, states have until October 15 to apply for participation in the appliance rebate program, and the government hopes to hand out the money by the end of November. The states themselves will determine what appliances are eligible and how big the rebates will be. The federal funds come from the $787-billion economic stimulus plan approved by Congress in February.

While a plurality don’t think a “cash for clunkers” approach is the way to go, 48%, generally speaking, favor increased government spending on programs that encourage Americans to be more energy-efficient. Thirty-six percent (36%) oppose additional government spending with this goal in mind, and another 15% are not sure.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Americans say people in the United States must cut back on their lifestyle to conserve energy. Just 23% think new, cost-effective energy sources will be found, so there is no need for Americans to conserve energy. Nearly one-in-five (19%) aren’t sure which course is necessary.

Interestingly, however, in separate surveys, 60% or more of Americans have said since February that finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy we now consume.
Seventy-five percent (75%) say finding new sources of energy will do more to help the environment than requiring automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

Thirty-five percent (35%) of adults say the "cash for clunkers" program was good for the U.S. economy. But 23% say the program hurt the economy, and 27% say it had no impact.

Confidence in the economic stimulus plan has rebounded a bit this month. Thirty-three percent (33%) of voters now say it helped the economy. Thirty percent (30%) say the splan has hurt the economy, while another 30% say it has had no impact.

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