Washington, D.C., March 5, 2012 – Seventy-three percent of Ohio voters favor more development of U.S. oil and natural gas resources, and similar numbers believe more oil and natural gas development would provide major benefits to the nation, including more U.S. jobs, according to a new poll released today.
"Voters in Ohio know developing more of America's homegrown energy makes sense for jobs, government revenues, and our energy security", said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. "Our economy will demand large amounts of oil and natural gas for at least the next quarter century even as the role of alternative energy increases, and we continue making strides in efficiency. We are either going to have to import it or develop smart polices to produce much more here at home.”
The telephone poll of 600 likely Ohio voters found that large majorities agree that more U.S. oil and natural gas development could lead to more American jobs (91 percent), increase the nation's energy security (86 percent), help reduce consumer energy costs (84 percent), and deliver more revenue to the government (75 percent). Seventy-four percent believe that some in Washington are intentionally delaying domestic oil and natural gas development, potentially hurting the economy and leading to higher energy costs for consumers.
The United States is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and third largest producer of oil. It has one of the largest reserves of oil and natural gas in the world largely due to technological advances in offshore development and in the development of shale through hydraulic fracturing.
API represents more than 490 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.
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Methodology
The study was conducted February 25-27, 2012, by telephone by Public Opinion Strategies and Frederick Polls on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute among 600 likely voters in Ohio, with a margin of error of +/- 4.0%. A full methodology is available upon request.
"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.