Poll: Americans think risks too high on drilling, back Obama's moratorium

[babylonsister]

Maybe this disaster is opening up some eyes.


Poll: Americans think risks too high on drilling, back Obama's moratorium
By Michael O'Brien - 06/22/10 07:00 AM ET


Almost half of Americans say the risks associated with offshore drilling are too great to justify oil exploration, while even more favor the temporary ban on deepwater offshore drilling.

Forty-nine percent of respondents in a New York Times/CBS News poll released Tuesday said the costs and risks associated with drilling for oil and natural gas in U.S. waters were too great, while 42 percent favored increased exploration.

By a larger margin, Americans as a whole backed President Barack Obama's six-month ban on new oil drilling starts in deep waters.

Sixty-five percent of those surveyed said it was a good idea to halt new drilling until an investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be completed, compared to 30 percent who said it was a bad idea.

But stark fault lines emerged between the public as a whole and those in Gulf states, where respondents maintained a relatively more favorable opinion toward drilling.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/104643-americans-think-risks-too-high-on-drilling-back-moratorium

[HockeyMom]

1. More oil drillinng and spills

won't help Gulf fishermen. Ditto for places like Florida whose economy is dependent on tourists going to clearn white beaches without tar balls and dead marine life washing ashore.

ONLY people in the Gulf who benefit are those on the oil rigs. I doubt the majority of people in the Gulf make their livings off that.

[FrenchieCat]

2. What I am amazed at is those who while whining that their way of life is now gone due to the spill,

maintain support for deep water drilling.

Having one's cake and eating it too = impossible.

[babylonsister]

3. I don't know how these folks will be appeased, seriously.

I understand their anger, but I don't know what solution would satisfy them.

[vaberella]

4. There's nothing to say for it. It pisses me off. n/t