WASHINGTON, January 27, 2015 – More than three-quarters of voters in Georgia support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources, according to a new poll conducted by Harris Poll for API’s “What America is Thinking on Energy Issues” series.

"America's oil and natural gas renaissance turned the U.S. into the world leader in energy, creating millions of jobs and making us less reliant on other parts of the world," said Hunter Hopkins, executive director of the Georgia Petroleum Council. "Energy is critically important to our economy and national security, and polls show that Georgians understand that. Offshore oil and gas development in the Atlantic give our state's economy a much-needed shot in the arm."

Areas throughout the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) could be made available for oil and natural gas development, creating more than 280,000 jobs, $200 billion in government revenue and 3.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to a recent study by Quest Offshore Resources.

The state-wide telephone poll, conducted for API by Harris Poll among 602 registered Georgia voters also found that:

• 89 percent agree increased oil and natural gas production could strengthen America’s energy security.
• 87 percent agree that producing more U.S. oil and natural gas could help lower energy costs for consumers.
• 84 percent say increased oil and natural gas production could benefit federal and state budgets through lease payments, royalty fees and other sources of revenue.
• 63 percent say that the federal government does not do enough to encourage U.S. oil and natural gas development.

The Georgia Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.

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Methodology The telephone study was conducted by telephone on January 13-19, 2015 by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute among 602 registered voters in Georgia, with a sampling error of +/- 4 percent. 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.