Poll: NC residents worry about offshore drilling :: WRAL.com – WRAL.com

By Coastal Review Online staff

A majority of North Carolina residents are concerned about the federal governments plan to begin drilling for oil and natural gas off the states coast and the risks it poses to the environment and the economy, according to a new poll.

Public Policy Polling conducted the survey July 21-23, in the days following Gov. Roy Coopers announcement June 20 of his plan to oppose offshore drilling expansion along the Atlantic coast. PPP conducted the survey on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council and released the results Thursday.

According to the results, seven out of 10 North Carolinians are either very concerned, 51 percent, or somewhat concerned, 19 percent, about offshore drilling off the coast of North Carolina.

Also, 56 percent of residents surveyed are very concerned and another 16 percent are somewhat concerned about the risk of an oil spill.

More than three-quarters of those surveyed, or 77 percent, said the tourism-related economic downturn from an oil spill on North Carolina beaches would be harmful, including 58 percent who say it would be very harmful.

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Poll: NC residents worry about offshore drilling :: WRAL.com - WRAL.com