Citizens of six coastal states would support prudent energy development off their shorelines, according to surveys commissioned by the American Gas Association.
“About two thirds of those surveyed said energy conservation was a good start but that additional energy production is needed in the United States,” AGA Pres. David Parker said.
The association, which represents 195 gas utilities, supports State Enhanced Authority for Coastal and Offshore Resources (SEACOR), a concept designed to generate coastal states’ support for offshore oil and gas exploration in exchange for greater control and a bigger share of revenue.
The surveys, conducted by MWR Strategies from May 24 to June 10, were of 600 registered voters each in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia and of 800 each in Florida and California. AGA released the results as the Senate debated energy legislation.
Respondents were asked to express the degree to which they would support prudent development of energy off their state’s coast if the state had more control over offshore areas and received a large portion of the revenue from oil and gas produced, AGA said.
The strongest support came in Georgia and South Carolina, where 69% said they would be more likely to back exploration and production offshore under such conditions.
A majority of respondents in California and Florida expressed similar support, but by smaller margins (51% and 53%, respectively), AGA said.
About seven out of 10 respondents in each of the states also indicated that oil and gas can be discovered and produced offshore safely and in an environmentally sensitive manner, it added.
“It is telling that so many voters said they would support prudent exploration and production of energy resources from off their shores if their state had more control over those areas and if they received a portion of the revenue from the natural gas and oil produced there,” said Parker. “Consumers are clearly very concerned about the high cost of energy, and the magnitude of public support for offshore energy production might surprise a number of elected officials.”
The American Iron and Steel Institute and the Industrial Energy Consumers of America cosponsored the surveys, AGA said.
Three provisions in the Senate energy bill address offshore oil and gas. They involve incentives for gas production from deep wells in the shallow Gulf of Mexico, suspension of royalties for leases in more than 400 m of water in specific situations, and authorization for the interior secretary to suspend federal royalties off Alaska to promote increased production and encourage production of marginal resources.
