HARTFORD, Conn., March 5, 2013 – Seventy-five percent of Connecticut voters favor increased access to domestic sources of oil and natural gas, and only thirteen percent oppose it, according to a new poll released today. A full ninety percent said energy security and increased domestic production are very important.

“Connecticut voters understand that energy choices are critical to job creation and the economy,” said Connecticut Petroleum Council executive director Steve Guveyan. “For the first time in decades, the U.S. has the opportunity to develop the energy it will need from its own abundant oil and natural gas resources. We should support developing more American made energy and controlling our energy future.”

The telephone poll of 605 registered Connecticut voters found that large majorities believe that increased access to U.S. oil and natural gas resources could lead to more American jobs (90%), help stimulate the nation’s economy (85%), help lower energy costs for consumers (80%), and lead to more revenue for the government (76%).

The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and the third largest producer of oil, thanks to technological advances in offshore deep-water development and the use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to reach oil and gas embedded in shale. The Marcellus Shale, located in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland, is the second largest natural gas discovery in the world, and could be a prime supplier of energy to Connecticut for hundreds of years to come.

“Governor Dan Malloy’s proposed ‘Comprehensive Energy Strategy’ calls for increased access to U.S. natural gas and for more efficient use of both oil and natural gas in order to help bring down consumer costs,” Guveyan said. “If we seize the opportunity now and support it with sound policy decisions the U.S. can realize the economic and energy security benefits of that leadership - while providing the energy that Connecticut needs.”

CPC is a division of API, which represents all segments of America's technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its 500-plus members provide most of the nation's energy. The industry also 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.

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br /Methodology: The telephone study was conducted on February 19th-24th, 2013 by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute (API) among 605 registered voters in Connecticut, with a sampling 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 American’s perspectives on key energy issues.