Poll shows strong support for natural gas development

CLARKSBURG — A recent survey by Orion Strategies shows that residents in the heart of the Marcellus/Utica natural gas basin overall support the effort to use the resource to strengthen the U.S.’s ability to be energy independent.

While the use of fracking and plans for natural gas pipelines have drawn concerns from environmentalists, the poll shows strong support for further development.

Key takeaways listed by Orion include:

— 72 percent of area respondents trusted industries operating in the area, while 66 percent trusted oil and natural gas industry operating in the same area. Trustworthiness was higher among older respondents.

— 25 percent of respondents reported that they or someone close to them works for the oil and natural gas industry.

— Oil and natural gas ranked highest with a 33 percent plurality in response to the question of which energy source would give America the best chance at energy self-sufficiency.

— Two-thirds of respondents support utilizing hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and natural gas with only 28 percent opposed.

— A whopping 83 percent support increased production of oil and natural gas in their respective counties.

— 89 percent of respondents agree with developing oil and natural gas resources so that the United States is less dependent on foreign oil.

— 79 percent agree that development of oil and natural gas has led to millions of new jobs and economic growth, while also providing significant tax dollars for state and local communities to fund schools, roads and first responders.— Only 43 percent agreed that human activity is a direct cause of global warming.

— 69 percent agreed with the statement that the oil and natural gas industry is committed to not only the health and safety of its employees and contractors, but also the people of the communities in which it operates.

— 40 percent of respondents believe that the energy companies place a priority on hiring local labor.

The survey also tested a number of institutions, finding that Building and Construction Trades were trusted most at 73 percent, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency trusted least of those tested at only 46 percent, the Orion release said.

The live-interview telephone survey was conducted among historic, residents age 18 and over in counties along the Ohio River in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia between April 3 and April 6. A total of 600 respondents completed the entire survey — giving the poll a 4 +/- margin of error with a 95 percent confidence rate.

The sample was proportionate to age and gender. Both cell phones and landline telephones were called in all counties. Partisan registration among respondents was 46 percent Democratic, 39 percent Republican and 15 percent Independents — reflecting the average of the region.

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