Contact: Funda Alp, 203-396-8241, alpf@sacredheart.edu

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2006

GAS PRICES PROMPT DOWN-SIZED CARS AND SUPPORT FOR EXPANDED DRILLING, NUCLEAR POWER AND NEW REFINERIES, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL POLL

FAIRFIELD, Conn.— While the cost of gasoline and oil is having a slightly lesser impact on their quality of life, according to a national poll conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute, the number of Americans who are down-sizing their automobiles is on the rise.

On Gas Prices / Impact

• Two thirds of all respondents, 66.7%, suggest gasoline and oil prices are very seriously (37.0%) or somewhat seriously (29.7%) impacting their quality of life. This is down from 77.6% and 71.3% recorded in October and April 2005, respectively.
• Among African-Americans, 91.0% indicated that gas and oil prices are very or somewhat seriously impacting their quality of life.
• Among car owners surveyed, 18.8% said they have replaced a larger car with a smaller, more gas-efficient car as a result of high gas prices. And, 26.0% said their next car will be smaller and more gas-efficient. Another 46.9% have no plans to move to a smaller, more gas-efficient car. Some, 8.0% are unsure if they will.

“The number of persons planning to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle will continue to increase as time goes by and more of us become convinced that the era of cheap gas is gone for the foreseeable future,” stated John Gerlach, associate professor in the Economics and Finance Department at Sacred Heart University.

On Reducing the Impact of Higher Gasoline Prices

Also according to the poll, Americans are increasingly supportive of new oil refineries in the U.S., expanded drilling, and nuclear power plants as strategies to reduce the impact of higher gas prices.

• A growing number of respondents, 82.9%, strongly or somewhat support allowing the Federal Government to permit new oil refineries throughout the United States as needed. This is up from 79.5% in October 2005.
• Slightly more Americans surveyed, 68.6%, strongly or somewhat support allowing expanded drilling for oil in places such as Utah, Alaska and Colorado. This is up from 68.4% in October 2005. 
• In a new question, 48.3% strongly or somewhat support allowing the Federal Government to build nuclear power plants throughout the United States as needed. Another 38.0% are somewhat or strongly opposed.

“The support for building nuclear power plants is encouraging, since it has provided other industrialized countries, such as France, with a significant percentage of their power needs for more than 30 years without harm to citizens or the environment,” said Gerlach.

EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

•          John Gerlach, associate professor in the Economics and Finance Department
           of Sacred Heart University's College of Business.
•          Jerry Lindsley, director, Sacred Heart University Polling Institute

To speak with these experts, please contact Funda Alp at 203-396-8241 or alpf@sacredheart.edu.

How the Poll Was Conducted
The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute completed 1,000 interviews with residents nationwide between February 9-15, 2006. The sample was generated proportional to population contribution in all 50 states. Statistically, a sample of 1,000 completed telephone interviews represents a margin for error of +/-3.0% at a 95% confidence level.

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About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University, the second-largest Catholic university in New England, offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Its main campus in Fairfield, Connecticut, is complemented by satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. Over 5,600 students are enrolled in its four colleges: Arts & Sciences; Education & Health Professions; University College; and the newly established John F. Welch College of Business, committed to educating students in the leadership tradition and legacy of Jack Welch. U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review place SHU among America's best colleges in the Northeast, and Intel rates it #11 among the nation's most “unwired” campuses. SHU fields 32 Division I athletic teams, and has an award-winning program of community service. www.sacredheart.edu

For additional Sacred Heart University news, please visit http://www.sacredheart.edu/pressroom.cfm.

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