AUGUSTA — The Natural Resources Council of Maine is touting a recent poll that shows most Mainers feel the cost of health insurance and energy as well as a weak national economy are holding back Maine’s economy more than the state’s environmental laws.

More than 90 percent of those polled also agreed that “preserving and protecting” Maine’s environment should be at least somewhat of a priority, according to the survey, which was paid for by NRCM.

The poll, conducted by Critical Insights in Portland, surveyed 402 self-reported registered Maine voters and was conducted via telephone between March 21 and March 24. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. The sample consisted of 36 percent Democrat, 32 percent Republican and 25 percent independent voters.

The poll also asked voters about specific policies being debated by the Legislature, including a ban on bisphenol A, repealing Maine’s bottle law and weakening shoreland zoning regulations.

More than 80 percent of respondents said they approve banning BPA from baby bottles, about 70 percent said they oppose repealing the bottle law and about 70 percent said they oppose changing shoreland zoning requirements that would allow people to build closer to water if it led to increased water pollution.

About eight in 10 Mainers also said they support wind power as a source of electricity.

This story has been updated from the original version.

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