Gas Prices Pump Up Support for Drilling: Pew Research Center Study

Support for Conservation and Environmental Protection Declines

WASHINGTON, DC - July 2, 2008: According to a new study released yesterday by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world, more Americans think that energy exploration and the development of new energy sources should have a higher national priority than conservation and protecting the environment.

The study, which was conducted June 18-29 among 2,004 adults, also found that half of Americans now support drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this is an increase of about 20% since the last similar poll was conducted in February.

The study showed that a little over 50% of younger people, ages 18 to 29 now feel that expanding energy exploration is a more important priority for energy policy than increasing energy conservation and regulation. Last February, only about 25% of that age group felt this way. And according to the study, even “liberals” who think that expanded energy exploration is the more important priority doubled, from 22% to 45%.

Perhaps one of the primary reasons for the increases is that the gender gap has disappeared with women becoming far more in favor of increased development and exploration. The study similarly revealed that “independents” and Democrats have become more favorably inclined towards finding newer and better energy resources.

The only issue in the study that seemed to show little change in opinions is ANWAR drilling. For complete information about the study visit http://pewresearch.org/pubs/884/gas-prices.