(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States favour allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. 71 per cent of respondents support this idea, while 21 per cent are opposed.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States favour allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. 71 per cent of respondents support this idea, while 21 per cent are opposed.
Earlier this year, U.S. president George W. Bush lifted a White House ban on offshore drilling, declaring, "This exploration is now banned by a provision included in the annual interior appropriations bill. When Congress returns they should remove this restriction so we can get these vast oil resources from the ocean floor to your gas tank." On Oct. 1, the congressional ban on offshore oil drilling expired.
On Sept. 4, the California Legislature passed two joint resolutions—A.J.R. 51 and A.J.R. 66—to protect the state’s coastline from expanded offshore drilling. Democratic Assembly member Pedro Nava discussed the situation, saying, "The California State Legislature is sending a strong message that California and our nation’s coastline is an international treasure and we’re not going to sacrifice it to President Bush and his ill-conceived scheme."
Polling Data
All in all, do you favour or oppose allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters?
|
Favour |
71% |
|
Oppose |
21% |
|
Not sure |
8% |
Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,532 registered American voters, conducted from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, 2008. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
