More than summer vacation, Americans want break on energy costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — As summer beckons, it seems Americans are thinking more about the stifling cost of energy than about making tracks to the beach.

Cutting energy bills and use is a bigger deal to them than taking a vacation or scoring the latest smartphone or tablet, according to an AP-NORC Center poll that asked people to choose priorities. Not even 1 in 5 ranked a summer trip or the latest gadget as a priority, while majorities said reducing electricity use and making homes energy-efficient are important.

But in typical American fashion, by far the highest priority was having a reliable set of wheels.