California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

High gasoline prices are seen as an increasingly serious problem in California and
have caused Californians (68 percent) to cut back on their spending in other areas,
according to a survey complete43d by the Field Poll.

Many motorists are employing a variety of gas saving measures, such as driving less
(78 percent), buying lower grades of gasoline (67 percent), and using their more fuel
efficient vehicle (59 percent). Smaller proportions also say they are carpooling more
(28 percent), employees are taking jobs closer to their home or moving closer to their
worksite (28 percent) or adjusting work hours so they are not commuting to the worksite
as often (25 percent). Others report having replaced a car or truck with a more fuel-efficient
vehicle (27 percent), and 17 percent say they are using public transportation more.

In addition, Californians support a number of energy production measures, including
building more nuclear power plants (50% to 41%) and facilities for liquefied natural gas
(63% to 19%) in California.  And by a 70% to 23% margin voters also want the state’s
auto emissions standards to be maintained. Voters oppose more offshore oil drilling
(51% to 43%) or allowing drilling on government lands (52% to 44%).

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

For further information see www.field.com