(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in the United States are split over a plan to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 48 per cent of respondents support the idea, while 49 per cent are opposed.

In 2004, the environmental policies initiated by U.S. president George W. Bush included tax incentives totalling $4.1 billion U.S. to boost the use of energy-efficient technologies, including hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Bush has also proposed opening less than 10 per cent of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration. According to the White House, the area could potentially provide more than one million barrels of oil each day.

On Mar. 16, the U.S. Senate voted 51-49 to allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge—located in northeastern Alaska—covers almost 80,000 square kilometres. The area was protected in 1960 during the administration of Dwight Eisenhower, and is home to more than 230 animal species.

On May 16 in Virginia, the American president further discussed his energy proposals, saying, "My administration is leading research into new technologies that reduce gas consumption while maintaining performance, such as lightweight auto parts and more efficient batteries." The president also asked Congress "to authorize pro-growth, pro-job, pro-environment exploration" of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Polling Data

Do you think the federal government should or should not allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska?

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