August 21, 2020

The American Petroleum Institute released new polling conducted by Morning Consult showing seven in 10 Texas voters would be more likely to vote for candidates who support access to natural gas and oil produced in the U.S. The polling also shows an overwhelming majority of Texas voters value American energy security and affordability and believe it is important for the U.S. not to rely on foreign energy sources.

“Texans know that the oil and natural gas industry anchors our economy and directly funds our roads, schools, emergency services and our Rainy Day Fund,” Texas Oil and Gas Association President Todd Staples said. “The industry also leads the way in environmental progress, investing billions and implementing real solutions to protect and improve the environment. Any plan that seeks to undermine this industry will set back climate progress, put workers out of jobs and decrease funding for our state and local governments. When they step in the ballot box in November, voters should look closely at candidates’ policies and consider the consequences of policies that seek to undermine this industry and Texas’ economic and energy security.”

“As we approach the election, it is clear a majority of Texas voters know and support the critical role the natural gas and oil industry plays in driving the economic recovery, keeping energy costs low and protecting national security,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “U.S. energy leadership has been a priority of every one of our last seven presidents, Democrat and Republican – a trend this polling shows Texas voters want to see continue. Proposals to ban U.S. energy production are out of step with bipartisan support for an all-of-the-above energy approach and would set America back by returning us to the days of relying on foreign energy.”

A new analysis prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) outlines how the U.S. natural gas and oil industry is a key economic driver in Texas, supporting over three million jobs and contributing nearly $529 billion to the state’s economy in 2018.

Polling Summary:

• Seven in ten Texas voters, including a majority of both Democrats (56 percent) and Independents (66 percent), would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports access to oil and gas produced in the U.S.
• 94 percent of voters believe it is important to keep energy and gasoline prices affordable.
• 94 percent of voters believe it is important to produce enough energy so the U.S. is not as reliant on other countries for oil.
• 83 percent of respondents support congressional action to invest in energy infrastructure to increase the production and distribution of domestic energy.
• 70 percent of Independent voters think natural gas and oil will be a significant part of America’s energy needs 20 years from now.
• 74 percent of voters in Texas, including 65 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Independents, believe the natural gas and oil industry will have an important role in helping the economy recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
• 86 percent of respondents think natural gas and oil provide a value to their life.
• 72 percent of voters agree that our country’s national security has increased because America is producing more natural gas and oil.

Click here to view the poll.

Methodology:
The poll, by Morning Consult, was conducted between June 26-30, 2020 among a sample of 798 Texas Registered voters.

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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest trade association in the State representing every facet of the Texas oil and natural gas industry.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability. To learn more about API and the value of oil and natural gas, please visit API.org.