PEW Poll shows majority public support for ANWR
The PEW Research Center (Princeton Survey Research Associates International) released findings from its energy and economics nationwide poll this week showing a majority public support for responsible oil exploration on the Coastal Plain of ANWR.
The poll highlights the economic and energy views of the public particularly in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster. The effects of Katrina on the energy supply of America could be said to be a wake up call for the nation. The poll found a “solid” 57% majority now support developing new energy sources in America.
On ANWR 50% of respondents specifically stated they supported opening ANWR for responsible oil and gas development, versus 42% stating they do not (8% don’t know or no answer). The poll’s “Question 63” on ANWR made no distinction between the 1.5 million acre “10-02 Area”, which is the only part of ANWR with oil potential, and the remaining designated “refuge” and “wilderness” sections of ANWR (17 million acres, roughly 90%) which are permanently closed to any development. Many respondents without in-depth knowledge of the issue would perceive that the entire 19.6 million acres of ANWR would be subject to exploration, thus potentially giving a very misleading result. Geologists believe only 2,000 acres are expected to be needed to tap 10-02 Area resources (less than .01% of ANWR’s total area) should permission by Congress be given.
It should be noted over 75% of Alaskans including the only residents of ANWR, the Inupiat Eskimos of Kaktovik, overwhelmingly support responsible oil exploration in the 10-02 Area of ANWR.
Another anomaly of the survey is “question 17” which asks, “Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be a more important priority for this country.” Answer either, “protecting the environment” or “developing new sources of energy”. We find this to be a rather misleading question as the people of Alaska, the Inupiat Eskimos who live in ANWR, and Arctic Power have always maintained it is not an “either / or” situation with regard to development and the environment. Over 30 years of oil exploration in Alaska have shown careful environmental care has been taken by the industry and demanded by Alaskan natives and citizens in developing oil reserves there. This is precisely why strict environmental rules and regulations put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency are made to conduct and restrict resource development. Oil exploration is only done in the dark of winter not summer to protect the wildlife who are only active during the short two months of summer. Pipelines are raised above ground or buried bellow it to allow free passage of animals. Gravel pads are used to elevate facilities off the tundra to protect the tundra. It should be said that Alaskan’s live in Alaska because they particularly enjoy the environment and want to keep it preserved. They also sensibly realize that you can responsibly develop areas of land and protect the environment at the same time. To state this in an either / or situation as the PEW study does, clearly shows bias and a lack of understanding of the realities of the past 30 years of resource development in Alaska by PEW. Alaska is the most environmentally regulated state in America, if not the world, for good reason. Because Alaskan’s care about the environment, and rules are there to protect it.
The PEW poll also touched on other energy issues such as public support for better fuel efficiency for cars and trucks, price controls on fuel and energy and use of nuclear power. The survey was conducted with 1,523 Americans 18 years or older between September 8-11. The poll has been calculated to a plus or minus 3% sampling error.