Americans Want to Drill

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

According to a recent CNN Opinion Poll, 74% of Americans are in favor of offshore drilling. While still split 49% to 44% on prioritizing the environment and the economy. In The Swamp, a Chicago Tribune Weblog, Matthew Hay Brown reports this survey is the latest one showing rising support for drilling, from consumers who are tired of rising gas prices.

The CNN/Opinion Research poll was conducted from June 26th – 29th and included more than 1,000 Americans showed the following:

49% of Americans favor environmental protection, even if it means slowing economic growth
44% of those surveyed place the economy as their top priority, even at the expense of the environment
73% favor more offshore drilling for natural gas and oil

Previously on June 19th CNN reported Gallup Poll findings that support their more recent opinion poll. The Gallup Poll results showed more than half of Americans favor drilling in areas that are currently off limits such as coastal and wilderness areas. Why? Is this really a “drill our way out” mentality? Cathy Landry, American Petroleum Institute spokeswoman stated:

“Any credible energy report will tell you energy demand will increase over the next few decades, we cannot drill our way out of this problem, but drilling is an important part of the solution.”

In addition to major environmental concerns, another concern about domestic drilling is having the mentality that we must fill the oil demand we currently live with and continue to fill the demand as it increases over time. Finding ways to reduce our oil consumption seems to be contradictory to drilling domestically. However, I would like propose drilling domestically could allow us to decrease our oil consumption over time. Allowing us to gain independence from foreign oil, and focus on alternative energy options. Under the guidelines and leadership of environmentalists and agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, I believe Americans are capable of drilling domestically in an environmentally safe way.

Our presidential front runners recently had the opportunity to speak out about off shore drilling as President Bush called for lifting the ban currently in place. As a result we learned Barack Obama does not want to consider any domestic drilling, while John McCain spoke out in support of offshore drilling on the East Coast. A closed door to our domestic resources from one candidate and a politically convenient statement from the other. Despite which candidate you support, there is a need to take a realistic look at the economy and environment, this internal conflict is really shaping the upcoming election.

I like the words of deputy campaigns director of Greenpeace, Carroll Muffett:

“In truth, what is truly good for the environment is what is truly good for the economy, because a shift to better energy solutions would create jobs.”

She, of course, is not referring to any type of drilling but the concept of environment and economy going hand in hand. I agree with her thought process in that respect. Drilling domestically in America may not ever be considered “good for the environment” it can surely be part of the solution that can help the American economy and ultimately our pursuit of alternative energy.