Washington Post-Pew Research Center Poll

This poll was conducted for The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center by telephone November 3 to 6, 2011, among a random national sample of 1,005 adults, including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) of Princeton, NJ.

*= less than 0.5 percent

1. As I read some possible government policies to address America’s energy supply, tell me whether you would favor or oppose each. First, would you favor or oppose the government [INSERT]? 

a. Allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters                        

          Favor   Oppose   No opinion
11/6/11     58      35          7
3/20/11*    57      37          6   
10/18/10    51      41          7 
6/20/10     44      52          4 
5/9/10      54      38          8 
2/9/10      63      31          6 
4/21/09     68      27          5 
9/14/08     67      28          5
*March 2011 and previous: Pew Research Center

b. Increasing federal funding for research on wind, solar and hydrogen technology         

          Favor   Oppose   No opinion
11/6/11     68      26          6
3/20/11     74      21          5 
10/18/10    74      21          6 
6/20/10     75      21          3 
5/9/10      73      22          5 
2/9/10      78      17          5 
4/21/09     82      15          3 
9/14/08     82      14          4 
2/24/08     81      14          5 
2/5/06      82      14          4

c. Promoting the increased use of nuclear power 

          Favor   Oppose   No opinion
11/6/11     39      53          8
3/20/11     39      52          8   
10/18/10    45      44         11 
6/20/10     47      47          6 
5/9/10      45      44         11 
2/9/10      52      41          7 
4/21/09     45      48          7 
9/14/08     50      43          7 
2/24/08     44      48          8 
2/5/06      44      49          7 
2/11/05     39      53          8

d. Allowing more mining and drilling on federally owned land 

          Favor   Oppose   No opinion
11/6/11     58      34          7

e. Providing subsidies for ethanol production

          Favor   Oppose   No opinion
11/6/11     38      48         14

2. When it comes to developing new energy technology, do you think (government investment is necessary) or do you think (businesses will produce the technology we need without government investment)?

         Government investment       Business will produce         No 
              is necessary       without government investment   opinion
11/6/11            52                          39                   9
4/21/09*           58                          32                  10
*Pew Research Center

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