New Poll Shows Coloradans Strongly Support Drilling Safeguards

Release Date: September 12, 2008
Denver

Contact: Elise Jones Colorado Environmental Coalition 303-405-6704

Contact: Craig Hughes RBI Strategies and Research 303-832-2444

Compressor station photo ©

Denver, CO: A July 2008 poll conducted by RBI Strategies and Research shows that a majority of Coloradans believe that oil and gas drilling must be done, but only in a safe and responsible manner that does not cut corners and endanger public health.

"Seventy percent of those polled (83% of Democrats, 76% of Unaffiliateds, and 54% of Republicans) favor responsible drilling over rapid oil and gas development," said Rick Ridder, President and Co-Founder of RBI Strategies and Research.

"Furthermore, despite an ailing economy, Colorado voters feel the oil and gas industry should not be putting public health at risk," said Ridder.

Colorado is currently experiencing a drilling boom at levels never before seen in the state.  With this record drilling come threats to air, water and public health.

"Recent reports of benzene-laced water and emergency room personnel at risk are unacceptable," said Dr. Kendall Gerdes, a Denver physician specializing in internal and environmental medicine. "The oil and gas industry must take protecting the public's health seriously."

"This poll clarifies what I and other have been saying all along – the energy industry has a role in the state's economy but they cannot be allowed to take shortcuts that endanger people's health," said Lisa Bracken, a Silt landowner. "Drilling in Colorado is inevitable, but Coloradans want it done in a safe and responsible way."

Over the past several months, the oil and gas industry has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on an advertising campaign in an attempt to undermine the update of public health protections.

"Coloradans from all walks of life and political persuasions are not buying industry's misleading media campaign," said Elise Jones, Executive Director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition.  "Public health is a non-partisan issue and Coloradans across the state stand together in believing we shouldn't sacrifice our health or the quality of our drinking water in the pursuit of energy supplies."

Craig Hughes, Director of Research at RBI Strategies and Research added that, "The polling also shows that Coloradans' perception of the industry has moved markedly more negative over the past five months." 

The poll was conducted from July 25th to July 30th by RBI Strategy and Research and is based on 500 random telephone interviews with Colorado residents. Results from the poll indicate: 

• Seventy percent of those polled agreed with the position that we must drill in a safe, responsible way (83% Democrat support, 76% Unaffiliated support, and 54% Republican support).

• When respondents were asked if they viewed the oil and gas industry favorably or unfavorably, 60 percent said they viewed the oil and gas industry very or somewhat unfavorably.

For a copy of the polling memo, click here.