API: Majority of New York Voters Support Shale Energy Development, USA

September 17, 2012

Voters in New York state support hydraulic fracturing, with 81 percent saying that development of the state’s shale energy resources will create jobs, according to a new poll released last week.

“We are seeing a steadily rising number of New Yorkers who understand the importance of the opportunity of developing energy from shale in this state,” said Karen Moreau, executive director of the New York State Petroleum Council, a division of API. “This poll comes at a critical time for needed jobs in New York. The governor’s decision, which is still pending, could have a game changing impact on our state’s future prosperity.”

According to the The Quinnipiac University Poll, which surveyed 1,589 New York voters September 4-9, 2012:

81 percent say oil and natural gas development in New York will create jobs.
48 percent of upstate voters support oil and natural gas development in New York as compared to just 40 percent who oppose.
Across the state, more voters support (45%) natural gas development for the economic benefits than oppose (41%) it for environmental concerns.

“New Yorkers get it,” Moreau said. “Developing these shale resources will give us an historic opportunity to turn around the economy for parts of the state that have been hardest hit by the recession.”

Moreau added that the state can be a leader in the responsible development of natural gas.

“Our companies follow comprehensive industry standards and strong state and federal regulations,” she said.

The New York State Petroleum Council represents all sectors of New York’s oil and natural gas industry, from development in the Marcellus Shale to oil refining and marketing of transportation fuels.

API represents more than 500 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 $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, September 17, 2012; Image: Chesapeake