NEED FOR FRACKING REGULATION: U.S POLL

Support for regulation of hydraulic fracturing has increased in the past three months, a sign that the gasdrilling practice is facing greater public scrutiny. A Bloomberg National Poll found that 66 per cent of Americans want more government oversight of the process, known as fracking, in which water, chemicals and sand are shot underground to free gas trapped in rock. That’s an increase from 56 per cent in a September poll. The poll found 18 per cent favoured less regulation, down from 29 per cent three months ago. The Dec. 7-10 Bloomberg poll of 1,000 adults was conducted by Des Moines, Iowa-based Selzer & Co. Industry groups for chemical, fertilizer and steel companies are trumpeting gains for the U.S. economy as natural gas supplies become more accessible. Low-cost natural gas could generate $72 billion in capital investment as petrochemical companies relocate or boost investments in the U.S., according to the American Chemistry Council. On another subject, the poll showed 62 per cent of those surveyed agreed the Earth’s temperature is rising “because of human activity,” up from 58 per cent in September. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.