Coal Industry Gets Higher Marks Than EPA

Voters view the U.S. coal industry more favorably than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are closely divided when asked if the Obama administration’s ultimate goal is to kill that industry.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of likely voters view the U.S. coal industry at least somewhat favorably. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 29% hold an unfavorable opinion of it.  By comparison, just 35% have a favorable opinion of the EPA.

Fifty-four percent (54%) feel it is possible to use coal for energy and still protect the environment, but that’s down from 61% in April 2012.Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree. Even more (25%) are not sure.

Twenty-one percent (21%) of voters believe the president’s new regulations on the coal industry will help the economy, but almost twice as many (41%) think those regulations will hurt the economy instead. Sixteen percent (16%) say they will have no impact. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure.

The Obama administration is putting tougher emissions controls on coal plants as part of its effort to fight global warming. While most voters consider global warming a serious problem, just 41% are willing to pay more in taxes or utility costs to fight it.