Do the majority of Americans support or oppose increased oil and natural gas development?

Answer:

By and large, Americans support increased oil and natural gas development. According to a Jan. 2012 poll by Harris Interactive, 70 percent of American voters favor increased access to U.S. oil and natural gas resources. Similar numbers also believe that more development would provide major benefits to the nation, including more U.S. jobs.

Among the poll’s 1,005 registered voters, a large majority believes that more U.S. oil and natural gas development could lead to more American jobs (87 percent); help the U.S. economy and reduce consumer energy costs (83 percent); increase the nation's energy security (82 percent); and deliver more government revenue (72 percent). More than two-thirds (70 percent) believe that some policymakers are intentionally delaying domestic oil and natural gas development, potentially hurting the economy and leading to higher consumer energy costs.

After receiving the poll results, API President and CEO Jack Gerard said:

"Voters know developing more of America's homegrown energy makes sense for our economy and our energy security. Our economy will demand large amounts of oil and natural gas for at least several more decades even as the role of alternative energy increases. Common sense says we should have Americans producing that oil and gas here at home as much as possible."

Mr. Gerard is referring to recent government projections that state: global energy demand will increase nearly 50 percent by 2035, with oil and natural gas expected to supply 52 percent of that energy.

Finding and producing oil and natural gas will remain critical to the global economy in the decades ahead. Because it takes anywhere from seven to 10 years for new oil and natural gas projects to come on line, it is imperative that Americans’ Washington representatives follow the public’s lead and support increased oil and natural gas development―and thus, America’s energy security.