Support for hydraulic fracturing in New York State failed to shatter any barriers in a new poll from the Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI).
The poll, conducted at the end of November and released this morning, found that 42 percent of the state’s registered voters support the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation allowing hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, in Upstate regions. Another 36 percent of registered voters opposed permitting the controversial natural gas drilling method.
The results are identical to those in an October SRI survey of likely voters. However, hydrofracking backers have added to their ranks since May, when an SRI survey of registered voters found 37 percent hydrofracking support and 36 percent opposition.
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“A majority of Downstate suburban voters and a solid plurality of New York City voters support fracking moving forward, but upstaters, by a small 45-39 percent margin, oppose fracking,” SRI pollster Steven Greenberg said in a news release. “Democrats and independents are closely divided on the subject, with Republicans strongly supporting it. This continues to be an issue where neither supporters nor opponents have made a strong enough case to rally a majority to their side.”
New Yorkers tilted toward predicting a stronger economy next year. The national economy will improve, according to 39 percent of the survey’s respondents. Just 22 percent said it will be worse. And 34 percent of respondents anticipated a better New York state economy, compared to just 21 percent who thought it will be worse.
When it comes to personal finances, 27 percent of respondents described themselves as being in line for a better year in 2013. Meanwhile, 18 percent believed they are facing a worse year.
SRI conducted its survey between Nov. 26 and Nov. 29. It made random landline and cellular telephone calls to 822 New York state registered voters and statistically adjusted data for representativeness. The survey results come with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com
