A recent statewide public opinion poll conducted by the West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) shows voters believe the natural gas industry will play the biggest role in the future of the state’s economy.
In looking for solutions to economic concerns, a plurality of West Virginia voters (41%) believe the natural gas industry will play the biggest role in the future of the state’s economy compared to other industries, including tourism (22%), coal (20%), manufacturing (13%) and timber (2%), and 83% feel the natural gas industry is good for the state economy as it creates local jobs.
Additionally, nearly three-fourths (74%) of West Virginia voters favor drilling for natural gas in the Mountain State, including those who identify as Republican (88%), Independent (73%) and Democrat (63%).
More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents view the industry favorably — higher than both coal (65%) and mining (61%) — with voters living in areas with high levels of drilling activity favoring gas development by overwhelming margins (73%).
“The poll proves what we hear and see every day on the ground from stakeholders, landowners and others who are watching this revolution: natural gas development is positively shaping the state’s economy and will continue to do so well into the future, and West Virginians recognize these facts more and more each day,” said WVONGA Executive Director Anne Blankenship.
According to the poll, 78% of voters believe that natural gas exploration can be done in an environmentally responsible way, with nearly all respondents (93%) saying natural gas provides reliable heating energy and electricity.
The poll, which included 500 completed interviews among registered West Virginia voters, was conducted April 26-29, 2019, by Public Opinion Strategies.
For additional information, contact Anne Blankenship at (304) 343-1609.
