Gasoline prices weigh heavily on U. S. voters as the 2012 presidential election draws near, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Ninety-two percent of the survey respondents said they were concerned about the costs of fuel, says the on-line nationwide survey conducted September 6-17 by University of Texas at Austin.

While support from Democrats and Republicans fell along party lines, President Barack Obama garners more support from Libertarian voters, 48 percent vs. 21 percent for his Republic challenger Mitt Romney, and from independent voters, 27 percent vs. 23 percent for Romney, according to the survey.

Overall, 37 percent of respondents say Obama's platform is best for the country, while 28 percent favor Romney's views on energy. More than a third of those surveyed are not sure whose energy policies they prefer or are undecided.

"While job creation and the economy continue to top the list of concerns, two out of three consumers say energy issues are important to them," said Sheril Kirshenbaum, director of The University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll.

"Support for increased production of domestic energy supplies remains strong, and we're also seeing a lot of interest in the promotion of alternative forms of energy and energy-saving technologies that crosses party lines,"he said.

Sixty-two percent of the 2,092 survey respondents say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who will increase funding for scientific and university research into new energy technologies, and 58 percent would back a candidate promising to expand natural gas development.

The respondents also support an increase in renewable forms of energy, with 58 percent saying they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports additional financial incentives for companies engaged in renewable technologies. Meanwhile, 40 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports decreasing the use of coal as an energy source.