Oil Spill Alters Views on Environmental Protection

Oil & Natural Gas / Conventional Oil & Gas Resources

Date posted: 07/03/10

Between March and May 27th, with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill intervening, Americans' preferences for prioritizing between environmental protection and energy production have shifted from a somewhat pro-energy stance to an even stronger pro-environment stance. The new results are based on a May 24-25 USA Today/Gallup poll. In March, by 50% to 43%, Americans said it was more important to develop U.S. energy supplies than to protect the environment, continuing a trend in the direction of energy production seen since 2007. Now, the majority favor environmental protection, by 55% to 39% the second-largest percentage (behind the 58% in 2007) favoring the environment in the 10-year history of the question.