STATEWIDE POLL SHOWS VOTERS OPPOSE STATE TAKEOVER BY A 3-TO-1 MARGIN RALEIGH, N.C., June 27
RALEIGH, N.C., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A statewide public opinion poll
conducted by McLaughlin & Associates shows that North Carolina voters
overwhelmingly oppose a state takeover of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project
operated by Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) in central North Carolina. The
poll found that 75 percent of voters disapprove of the state using tax dollars
to take over a privately owned and operated business; oppose a state takeover
of the Yadkin Project by a 3-to-1 margin (57% to 19%); and oppose the state
getting into the power business by a 2-to-1 margin (59% to 27%).
State lawmakers are currently contemplating whether to form a Yadkin Study
Commission that would examine water issues along the Yadkin River, including
whether or not the State of North Carolina should pursue a takeover of the
Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. The state budget passed last week by the N.C.
Senate includes this provision.
"This survey clearly shows that the voters of North Carolina strongly
believe that it is a very bad idea for the state government to take over the
Alcoa hydroelectric dams and power plant," said John McLaughlin, CEO of
McLaughlin and Associates, a national polling firm based in New York.
"Philosophically, the large majority of North Carolina voters are opposed to
the concept. In practical terms, they do not want to pay for the takeover and
believe the state should instead focus on addressing more pressing needs like
education and the economy."
An executive summary of the poll, including the exact wording of survey
questions and a breakdown of results, is available at:
www.alcoa.com/yadkin/en/pdf/NC_APGI_Memo_0625_Final.pdf .
"The poll confirmed our hunch that voters don't want our state government
taking over private companies or getting into the power business. The
surprising thing was how strongly voters felt about this issue. Regardless of
the cost, more than 70 percent of voters were opposed to the idea of a state
takeover of the Yadkin Project," said Gene Ellis, licensing and property
manager, Alcoa Power Generating Inc.
About the Poll:
The poll, commissioned by APGI, was conducted June 19-22, 2008.
McLaughlin & Associates conducted a telephone survey of 500 likely voters on
June 19-22, 2008. An additional oversample provided a total of 350 interviews
in Anson, Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, Iredell, Montgomery, Randolph, Rowan,
Stanly and Union counties.
Background on the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project:
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) has been generating clean and renewable
energy along the Yadkin River in central North Carolina for nearly a century.
It operates four dams and powerhouses under a license from the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC). APGI is currently pursuing a new federal
license and has been working closely with stakeholders in North Carolina and
South Carolina regarding the future management of the Yadkin Project for more
than five years. A Relicensing Settlement Agreement, signed by 23
organizations, was submitted to FERC in May 2007. The agreement calls for
APGI to improve water quality, maintain higher water levels and provide new
recreational opportunities during the new license term. Learn more at
alcoafacts.com.
SOURCE Alcoa Power Generating Inc.
