CONCORD, N.H. — There is statewide support for expanded casino gambling and for a contentious power line transmission proposal, a survey conducted for the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce indicates.
Chris Williams, the chamber’s president, said Monday that the poll taken by the University of New Hampshire found 58 percent of people surveyed wanted to expand gambling. Most, 43 percent, said a casino should be located in the southern part of the state, according to the survey, which was taken in February, before last week’s House vote against expanding casino gambling.
Williams acknowledged that legislative opposition has been persistent and is a tough obstacle to clear before a new casino could be a reality in New Hampshire.
‘‘Even though that vote went the way it did, we believe the issue is still very much alive,’’ Williams said.
The survey also found that 46 percent of those polled supported the Northern Pass electrical transmission proposal, while 35 percent opposed it. Support for the $1.4 billion, 187-mile project was strong in the south, where the Canadian hydropower would be used, and weak in the north, where landowners fear falling property values and a ruined natural beauty.
‘‘It certainly isn’t the silver bullet that’s going to solve all our energy price issues in New England, but I certainly think it can go a long way toward alleviating the problem,’’ Williams said.
Forty-two percent of those surveyed opposed burying the lines, something that has been floated as an alternative. The legislature is working on bills to suggest burial when no reasonable alternative is available. The survey found 28 percent supported burying the lines, including 19 percent who would be willing to pay for the added cost on their utility bills.
‘‘We’re pleased to see that this Nashua Chamber/UNH poll reflects what we’ve been hearing on the ground as a part of our outreach efforts in recent months,’’ said Lauren Collins, a spokeswoman for Northern Pass. ‘‘The more people learn about the Northern Pass, the more they support the project and its benefits.’’
Project opponents, however, said the poll numbers show that despite a recent run of advertising in support of the project, people still do not want the Northern Pass.
‘‘All that money for TV ads, and that’s the best they can do?’’ said Jack Savage, a spokesman for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. ‘‘The people in the communities who would suffer greatest from Northern Pass remain staunchly opposed and are preparing for a long legal battle.’’
The survey found a closer split on the question of whether to raise the state’s gas tax by 4 cents, as is proposed in the Legislature. Forty-nine percent opposed the gas tax increase, while 44 supported the hike as long as all the revenue is used to fix roads and bridges.
There also was strong support for expanding commuter rail into southern New Hampshire. Of those polled, 68 percent favored expansion, while 7 percent opposed it and 24 percent were neutral or did not know enough about it to form an opinion.
The telephone survey of 519 adults was conducted between Feb. 11 and Feb. 19 and had a margin of error of 4.3 percent.
