Poll: North Dakotans support both fossil fuels and environmental protection

North Dakotans overwhelmingly support continued production of coal and oil resources in the state but also desire stronger environmental protections when it comes to energy extraction, according to a new poll. 

They just aren’t so certain about what lengths the state should go to in any fight with the federal government in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, the poll shows. 

Overall, 79% of respondents support the state in fighting to preserve coal and oil production, with only 14% opposed. 

The poll, commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative, finds the highest support for fossil fuels among self-identified Republicans, at 95%, and Independents at 80%. 

Among those identifying as Democrats, 47% are in favor of the state continuing to fight to preserve fossil fuel production. 

In total, 63% strongly support the preservation of fossil fuels in the state. 

The majority do appear to want that production conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, however. 

Asked if they’d like more environmental protections when it comes to energy production in the state, 63% were in favor while 28% opposed more protections. 

Here party affiliation flips when compared to support for coal and oil production. 

A total of 92% of Democrat respondents want more environmental protection related to energy production and 65% of Independents also see a need for more. A smaller set of Republicans - 46% - want further environmental regulation in the energy sector. 

When asked whether they supported or opposed the state fighting federal efforts to cut back or eliminate production of fossil fuels, however, reactions were split: 45% supported that fight while 42% opposed it. 

Strong support in that fight included 34% of respondents and 29% strongly opposed battling with the feds. 

North Dakota is currently in several contentious struggles with federal agencies, most notably the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Land Management. 

The fights cover issues ranging from methane gas flaring rules related to oil extraction, to reductions in airborne emissions of arsenic, lead and mercury and other pollutants by coal-fired power plants, to the blockage of coal leasing on federal lands. 

With the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump choosing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to both head the Department of Interior and lead a newly established National Energy Council, many of those contentions are likely to be resolved in favor of the fossil fuel industry. 

In his role heading the National Energy Council, Burgum is expected to oversee energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation, according to a Trump administration statement announcing the choice and the new body. 

The North Dakota Poll surveyed 500 adults between Nov. 17-19, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%. The poll surveyed roughly equal numbers of men and women, as well as equally from the eastern and western halves of the state.

The North Dakota News Cooperative is a nonprofit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state. For more information about NDNC or to make a charitable contribution, please visit newscoopnd.org. Send comments, suggestions or tips to michael@newscoopnd.org. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NDNewsCoop.