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| Slim majority of Caliphornios supports offshore drilling |
| 2008-08-01 |
| As gas prices remain above $4 a gallon in most of the Bay Area, Californians are more open to the idea of offshore drilling for oil than they have been in the past. A slim majority - 51 percent to 45 percent - approve of offshore drilling, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. It's the first time since the institute began asking the question in 2003 that more residents favor drilling than oppose it. A year ago, 41 percent favored drilling. Still, the issue appears driven by partisan inclinations. More than three-quarters - 77 percent - of Republicans support offshore oil drilling, up from 60 percent a year ago. Only 35 percent of Democrats approve of drilling, but that's up, from 29 percent a year ago. Less than half of independents - 44 percent - are in favor, up from 33 percent last year. "With oil drilling being a politicized issue this year, it's not surprising that the bulk of growth occurred among Republicans," said Sonja Petek, the project manager for the survey. "But, even more Democrats favor drilling. ... It's as though residents are looking for somebody to do something about gas prices." Support for drilling is highest in the Inland Empire (56 percent), Central Valley (55 percent) and Orange/San Diego counties (54 percent), while residents in Los Angeles are split. Bay Area residents are least likely to support drilling, with 54 percent opposed. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Support is much higher, where proposed drilling is confined to areas where spills would be more containable. I think the political support is there. Recommendation: watch "Ice Road Truckers" on the History Channel. Featured Arctic drilling companies rate high marks for efficiency and environmental sensitivity. Ice pack waste is trucked away on "E-Vac" vehicles. |
| Posted by: McZoid 2008-08-01 05:09 |
| #1 That doesnt stop Schwarzentraitor, who, like libs, beleives he knows whats best and will force it on you. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-08-01 03:45 |