Zogby International

Released: May 11, 2010

Zogby Interactive: Slight Majorities Support Off-Shore Drilling & Also Agree Its Expansion Will Increase Environmental Problems

3 of 4 Say BP Responsible for Clean-Up & Compensation

UTICA, New York - The oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico has not dissuaded 57% of likely voters from agreeing that offshore drilling "is still a safe, reliable and cost-efficient method of producing oil." However, 53% also agree that expansion of offshore drilling will lead to increased environmental problems.

These results from a May 7-10 Zogby Interactive poll of 2,068 likely voters are consistent with the finding of a similar Zogby survey conducted one week earlier that found 63% agreeing with the Obama Administration's plans to allow expansion of offshore drilling in the Atlantic.

The latest poll also shows that British Petroleum's (BP) efforts to cap the spill and its public announcements about it are having a small positive impact on public opinion toward BP. In our April 30-May 3 poll, 19% of likely voters gave BP positive ratings of excellent or good for its handling of the spill. The recent poll found that number rising to 25%,while the percentage giving a grade of fair rose from 22% to 34%.

Both surveys also ask three other common questions about BP and the spill. The likelihood of respondents not buying gas from a BP station due to the spill has increased slightly from 17% to 20%. The percentage that believes that BP is "an environmentally friendly company" has risen from 29% to 35%. The percentage rating BP's response as better than that of Exxon's to the Valdez spill has risen six points, going from 34% to 40%. Seven percent say BP's response was worse than that of Exxon, and the rest believe the responses are the same or are not sure.

A majority of respondents to the latest survey believe that BP should cover the cleanup costs. Seventy-four percent say BP should be forced to compensate fishermen and others who depend on the gulf for their livelihood, and 78% say BP should be most responsible for the clean-up (13% would have the drilling contractor, Transocean LTD, be most responsible.)

Several members of the Obama Administration have described one of its main goals as "keeping the boot on the throat of BP" to get the company to resolve the spill; and 47% agree it has been successful in doing so. Voters are split as to whether the Obama Administration responded to the spill in a timely manner, with 47% say the response was timely and 42% say it was delayed. Exactly one-half agree that BP did not respond in a timely manner, and 36% believe BP reacted timely to the spill.

Pollster John Zogby: "These results show again our addiction to oil. Even though a majority anticipates environmental problems from offshore drilling, similar numbers still think it is safe, reliable and cost-effective. For now at least, economic concerns outweigh worries about the environment, and a small majority of voters are willing to risk the latter for the sake of cheaper oil and a reduced dependence on oil from nations that may not like us."

For more information, contact the Communications Dept. - 202-429-0022

(5/11/2010)

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Zogby Interactive: Slight Majorities Support Off-Shore Drilling & Also Agree Its Expansion Will Increase Environmental Problems

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