The Nebraska Poll, Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT
On the topic of disposal of toxic waste from fracking operations

April 2015

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT

CONTENTS

Contents

Study Description

Narrative Summary

Tabular Report

About The Nebraska Poll and Research Associates

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT

The Nebraska Poll, Spring Edition, 2015

STUDY DESCRIPTION
(N=576)

The purpose of a portion of this edition of The Nebraska Poll was to measure the attitudes of Nebraskans
relative to the disposal of toxic waste from fracking operations.
Research Associates designed the survey instrument, which was administered by telephone to a total
sample of 576 randomly selected Nebraskans in April of 2015. The sample was geographically representative by
Nebraska congressional district. Completed interviews were from both cell phones (33%) and landlines (67%).
A sample of 576 randomly selected respondents provides results that are statistically accurate within an
expected maximum error range of plus or minus 4.1% at a 95% confidence level. In other words, if this survey were
administered to the entire population studied, the results would vary no more than plus or minus 4.1% from the
results reported here, 95 times out of 100. The actual expected maximum error ranges vary based on the specific
percentage results obtained for each response, as shown below.

Expected Maximum Error Ranges at a

95% Confidence Level for a Sample of 576

10%
+/-2.4%

20%
+/-3.3%

30%
+/-3.4%

40%
+/-4.0%

50%
+/-4.1%

60%
+/-4.0%

70%
+/-3.4%

80%
+/-3.3%

90%
+/-2.4%

The figures in this report represent percentages unless specifically stated otherwise. Columns may not
always total exactly 100% due to rounding.
Terminology: The "N" is the number of cases (respondents) in the study.

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT

The Nebraska Poll, Spring Edition, 2015

NARRATIVE SUMMARY
(N=576)

Disposal of toxic waste from fracking operations

The Nebraska Poll respondents were asked, in order, the following three questions relative to the disposal
of toxic fracking waste:
1. Should Nebraska accept toxic waste from fracking operations in other states?
2. Should Nebraskas standards for disposing of toxic fracking waste be at least as strong as the rules
in neighboring states?
3. Should all the chemicals in fracking wastewater be disclosed to the public?

A super-majority (77%) of respondents indicated that Nebraska should not accept toxic waste from
fracking operations in other states. Breakdowns by congressional district showed that respondents in District 3 were
statistically significantly more likely to oppose accepting toxic waste from fracking operations in other states (81%
opposed in District 3 compared to 77% statewide).

A super-majority (88%) of respondents indicated that Nebraskas standards for disposing of toxic fracking
waste should be at least as strong as the rules in neighboring states.

A super-majority (84%) of respondents indicated that all chemicals in fracking wastewater should be
disclosed to the public.

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT

The Nebraska Poll, Spring Edition, 2015

TABULAR REPORT
(N=576)

Disposal of toxic waste from fracking operations

Percentage
Statewide
N=576
1.

Should Nebraska accept toxic waste from fracking operations in other states?
Yes
Dont know
No

15%
8%
77%

Breakdown by Congressional District

Dist
One
N=194

Yes
Dont know
No

14%
9%
77%

Percentage
Dist
Dist
Two
Three
N=190
N=192

17%
10%
73%

13%
6%
81%

Breakdowns by congressional district showed that respondents in District 3 were statistically significantly
more likely to oppose accepting toxic waste from fracking operations in other states (81% opposed in District 3
compared to 77% statewide).
District 3 respondents were also less likely to be undecided on this question.
While District 2 respondents were statistically significantly less likely to answer this question in the
negative (73% compared to 77% statewide), there was a super-majority of opposition in District 2 as well.

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT
Percentage
Statewide
N=576

2.

Should Nebraskas standards for disposing of toxic fracking

waste be at least as strong as the rules in neighboring states?
Yes
Dont know
No

88%
7%
5%

Breakdown by Congressional District

Dist
One
N=194
Yes
Dont know
No

88%
8%
4%

Percentage
Dist
Dist
Two
Three
N=190
N=192
87%
8%
5%

89%
6%
5%

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT
Percentage
Statewide
N=576

3.

Should all the chemicals in fracking wastewater be disclosed to the public?

Yes
Dont know
No

84%
5%
11%

Breakdown by Congressional District

Dist
One
N=194
Yes
Dont know
No

86%
5%
9%

Percentage
Dist
Dist
Two
Three
N=190
N=192
85%
6%
9%

81%
4%
15%

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT
Percentage
N=576
Demographics of the Sample

Which of these age groups are you in:

16-20
21-34
35-49
50-64
65 up

4%
12%
32%
37%
15%

Which of these annual household income groups are you in?

Under $40,000
$40,000-80,000
Over $80,000

19%
36%
45%

Congressional District:
One
Two
Three

34%
33%
33%

Phone Type:
Land line
Cell phone

67%
33%

Gender:
Male
Female

51%
49%

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The Nebraska Poll

Spring Edition, 2015

FINAL REPORT

ABOUT THE NEBRASKA POLL AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Joe B. Williams, from Elmwood, NE along with Elmo Roper, from Hebron, NE, were two of the early
Nebraska pollsters. Joe B. Williams was the first to register the name The Nebraska Poll in the state of Nebraska.
When Joe B. retired in the 1980s, he selected Research Associates as the next owner of The Nebraska Poll.
Because he was profoundly concerned with the issue of ethics in the burgeoning polling industry, he based his
selection criteria on ethics as well as credibility and reliability of the work. The Nebraska Poll is currently the oldest
poll in the state.
Research Associates has been conducting public opinion polling in Nebraska since 1975 and also owns The
Lincoln Poll and The Omaha Poll.

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