ALBANY – New Yorkers are turning against fracking, according to a new poll.
Quinnipiac University said its survey shows “for the first time ever” opposition to the controversial natural gas drilling technique “by a clear margin,” 46-39 percent.
That’s a turnaround from 47-42 percent support in August 2011 as Gov. Cuomo continues to delay a decision on whether to allow high-volume horizontal drilling.
The poll shows upstate voters slightly in favor of drilling in Marcellus Shale (44-42) and the suburbs split, but that’s offset by 53-32 opposition in the city.
New York State Petroleum Council executive director Karen Moreau said the numbers “are heavily skewed by New York City voters who enjoy the benefits of cheap natural gas but have bought into the fear tactics by so-called activists” who warn of environmental harm from the process of fracturing shale with a high-pressure mix of chemicals, sand and water to capture trapped gas.
Deep partisan divides remain with Democrats opposing the practice (60-24) and Republicans supporting what Moreau and other proponents say would create tens of thousands of jobs (62-21).
Independents are fairly split, slightly favoring fracking (46-42).
The poll out today also shows New Yorkers support Las Vegas-style casinos (52-38) but are split on a constitutional amendment legalizing such gambling parlors and are opposed if the casinos are in their community (54-41).
The proposed amendment expected to go to state voters in November would authorize up to seven new casinos, but Cuomo wants to start with just three upstate to help boost the region’s economy.
But upstaters slightly oppose a casino in their communities (49-45) with even stronger opposition in the suburbs (63-34) and the city (55-41), the poll found.
“Casinos? OK, New Yorkers say, but not in my town,” said poll spokesman Maurice Carroll.
The March 11-17 telephone survey of 1,165 state voters also found continued strong support for raising the state’s $7.25-an-hour minimum wage (80-18).
Cuomo and lawmakers are expected to approve an increase to $9 by 2016 – though the poll actually shows only 49 percent favor a hike above $8.50.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percent.