What America is Thinking on Energy Issues
WASHINGTON, November 9, 2011 - New Hampshire voters strongly agree that increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources would lead to more American jobs, bolster the country's economic growth and increase America's energy security, according to a statewide poll by and for API.
The poll, released last night during a NH Energy Forum event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, surveyed voters in the upcoming Republican primary and the general electorate.
"This new poll of New Hampshire voters shows that getting the economy moving, creating jobs and becoming more energy secure are the top issues on voters' minds," said API Executive Vice President Marty Durbin. "And it tells us that voters on all sides of the issues, Democrats, Republicans and independents, strongly support producing more of our oil and natural gas right here at home."
Durbin added that "America's stubbornly high unemployment rate is a concern for politicians of both parties. We are part of the solution.
"Energy, and specifically the oil and natural gas sector, plays a crucial role in our economy, and API wants to make sure that energy policy remains top of mind with candidates and voters throughout the election cycle."
Key findings of the poll include:
- Both general election and Republican primary voters in New Hampshire are concerned about America becoming more energy independent and also about the affordability of energy.
- Voters in New Hampshire overwhelmingly believe that the country will need more oil and natural gas in the future than it needs today.
- Both general election and primary voters in New Hampshire strongly support increased access to domestic and natural gas resources—with the majority of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats in agreement.
- New Hampshire voters strongly agree that increased access to oil and natural gas resources would lead to more American jobs and would also increase the country's energy security.
- New Hampshire voters believe that some in Washington are delaying development of domestic oil and natural gas, which could lead to higher energy costs. They also believe that expanding domestic access could decrease costs to consumers.
The survey was completed October 29-31, 2011 among 500 likely voters with a margin of error of +4.38% and an oversample of 518 likely GOP primary voters with a margin of error of +4.30%.
"What America is Thinking on Energy Issues" is a public opinion series provided by API, offering data to inform policy discussions and ensure policymakers and others know Americans' perspectives on key energy issues.
API represents more than 480 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America's energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.