U.S. public support for the Keystone XL pipeline may be softer than previously believed, according to a poll released this week by the Washington Post and ABC News.
Asked whether the pipeline should be authorized immediately, or subject to complete review to determine whether it’s in the country’s best interest, 61% supported a review, against 34% who wanted it built immediately.
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“That overall 61-34 split is the reverse of most Keystone polls,” and the Post suggests a few interpretations for the result. Respondents may have been comfortable with the “pretty innocuous concept” of reviewing the pipeline before approving it. They may have considered the project less urgent in light of falling oil prices. Or support for the pipeline may be “wide but shallow” among people who haven’t given the issue much thought.
Keystone still receives strong overall support in U.S. public opinion polls.
