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Poll shows 71 percent of Bulkley Valley residents with an opinion are opposed to coalbed methane
November 6, 2006 (Smithers, B.C.) - A poll released today by the Northwest Institute shows that among Bulkley Valley residents with an opinion on the proposed Telkwa coalbed methane project, seven out of ten are opposed.
Global research firm Synovate conducted the poll by telephone between October 25 and 29, 2006.
“These results show strong opposition to the proposed project,” said Pat Moss, Executive Director of the Northwest Institute. “Coalbed methane is widely known amongst residents as being a risky industry with a poor track record and few benefits.”
Calgary-based Outrider Energy Ltd. is pushing to develop the controversial coalbed methane gas field near the small community of Telkwa, in northwest B.C.
The poll's other key findings include:
- Almost 70% of residents agree that the potential benefits of coalbed methane are not worth the potential risk to wild salmon and steelhead and 60% agree that the proposal poses an unacceptable risk to drinking water.
- 68% of residents disagree that government should go ahead with development if it believes it's in the entire province's best interest.
- Most residents feel the provincial government's efforts to consult with local residents about the project have been less than adequate (58%), rather than adequate (32%) or more than adequate (3%).
- The coalbed methane project will be an important issue for area residents when deciding who to support in the next municipal election (62% say it will) and in the next provincial election (66% say it will).
- Residents broadly agree that the BC government should not sell the development rights to the company if the majority of Valley residents feel the risks are too great. Overall, 87% of residents agree with this point-of-view.
The margins of error at the 95% confidence level associated with this poll
are +/-6% for the total sample of 300.
Download poll results in pdf
format
Download full list of
poll questions
Contact:
Pat Moss, Northwest Institute: (250) 847-9693 or cell (250) 877-9745