A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University shows that New Yorkers, by a wide margin, believe that drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale will create jobs.  The poll, which surveyed 1640 registered voters, found an average of 75 percent of New Yorkers linked drilling with the creation of jobs.  However, whereas Upstate New Yorkers favor drilling because of its perceived positive economic impact, the poll shows that a majority of New York City residents oppose drilling because of environmental concerns. 

For example, 55 percent of Downstaters believe that hydro-fracking will cause environmental damage.  The poll also shows that New Yorkers widely favor a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale.