Kaktovik Children

Over 78% percent of Alaskans support exploration and production on the Coastal Plain of ANWR. Polling conducted in December 2009 by the Dittman Research Corporation shows that a vast majority of Alaskans support opening ANWR to oil and gas exploration.

Dittman’s poll questioning Alaskans on various topics of interest has been conducted regularly over the years and includes the basic question,
“The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, usually referred to as ANWR, is located on the northern edge of Alaska between Prudhoe Bay and the Canadian border. What is your opinion, do you feel oil and gas exploration should or should not be allowed in that area?”

In December 2009 the response was 78% in favor of exploration and 21% opposed.  The results over the past 10 years indicate a very steady response with only minor fluctuation.

Further polls nationally have shown that once basics facts about ANWR exploration are explained to respondents, such as the fact that the only area under consideration for development is the 10-02 Area of ANWR and of this legislation limits the footprint size to 2000 acres, that nearly half of those who originally answered “opposed” change their minds.  The results for Alaskans are very clear and have been for decades.  That Alaskans understand exploration can be done properly and with care for the environment.  Furthermore the issue in Alaska is fairly non-partisan with Democrats and Republicans supporting the issue equally.  Nearly every year the Alaska State Legislature passes a resolution supporting ANWR exploration.  The votes have always been nearly unanimous with only 1 or 2 legislators dissenting. 
Nationally polling companies have addressed the question of ANWR only occasionally and with mixed results often depending on the price of gasoline at the time.  PEW organization completed US public opinion polls in 2008 that showed a small majority, 50%, support ANWR exploration.  The issue in Congress as well as with the general American public seems very prone to partisanship with Democrats against development by a 2 to 1 margin over Republicans.  This penchant for partisanship often throws logic to the weigh side on the issue skewing votes in “blind” support of a general party trend versus an actual understanding of the debate.  For Alaskan politicians and representatives this causes great issue trying to move the ANWR issue during national elections.
To view the Dittman Research Poll click here:
http://www.dittmanresearch.com/drc_researchresults.htm

To view the 2008 PEW national poll click here:
http://people-press.org/report/433/gas-prices