Poll: Keystone Pipeline Enjoys Strong Public Support

A whopping 66 percent of Americans support the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would transport oil from Canada through the Midwest to refineries in Texas.

Less than one-in-four — 23 percent — oppose the plan which has been assailed by environmentalists, according to a Pew Research poll.

As for party breakdown, 82 percent of Republicans support it, while 10 percent are opposed. Among Democrats, 54 percent back it, and 34 percent are against it. Among independents, 70 percent favor it, and 21 percent object.

There is disagreement among Democratic factions. Only 42 percent of liberal Democrats support the pipeline, and 48 percent oppose it. But among moderate and conservative Democrats, 60 percent support it, and 28 percent are opposed, the poll showed.

The 2,100-mile pipeline would start in Alberta and pass through both Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma before reaching its destination near Houston. President Barack Obama has so far refused to give it the green light. Environmentalists extracting oil from tar sands increases greenhouse gases and cite the risk of a rupture in the pipe.

But supporters say the pipeline would reduce the country’s dependence on the Middle East, bring down prices at the pump, and bring much-needed jobs.

When it comes to global warming, 69 percent of respondents say there is strong evidence that the earth’s temperature has increased over the past few decades. That’s up just a bit from 67 percent in October. However, only 33 percent of Americans say global warming is a very serious problem, down from 39 percent in October.