A Quinnipiac University poll released March 20, 2013 shows statewide opposition to fracking is growing. The new poll finds opponents outnumbering supporters of fracking in the survey by 46-39 percent — a new low for fracking proponents and the first time a “clear margin” has opposed it in Quinnipiac polling.
Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute stated that voters are “turning negative on the basic idea…”  of fracking.
According to Ramsay Adams, Mountainkeeper Executive Director, “The more that New Yorkers learn about fracking, the more they oppose it.  The oil and gas industry is waging a massive, glitzy, smooth talking campaign to convince New Yorkers that they can get fracked and like it.  New Yorkers aren’t buying it.”

For the first time ever, New York State voters oppose by a clear margin, 46 – 39 percent, drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, as concerns for the environment win out over the promise of economic benefits, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Support for drilling peaked at 47 – 42 percent when the independent Quinnipiac University poll first asked the question August 11, 2011. For the last year, voters have been virtually tied on the question of whether they support drilling because of economic benefits or oppose drilling because of environmental concerns.
Today, upstate voters remain divided, with 44 percent in favor of drilling and 42 percent opposed, while suburban voters are split 42 – 42 percent. New York City voters oppose drilling 53 – 32 percent. Republicans support drilling 62 – 21 percent while Democrats are opposed60 – 24 percent. Independent voters are divided with 46 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is “carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking,” 21 percent of  New York State voters say, but 30 percent say his is “dragging his feet…to avoid making a decision,” with 46 percent offering no opinion.
“New Yorkers might be getting impatient with the long delay over natural gas drilling.They’re turning negative on the basic idea and more of them see foot-dragging by Gov. Andrew Cuomo rather than a careful evaluation,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
“The governor’s strong leadership on gun-control cost him Republican support. A decision on drilling, or hydro-fracking, could win back some of that support, but what would it do to his Democratic support?”