New poll finds Maryland voters, like their neighbors in New York and Pennsylvania, want to participate in the shale gas revolution

It may be news to government officials in Annapolis who have imposed a temporary pause on hydraulic fracturing, but voters throughout the state of Maryland actually support natural gas production. Big time.

A new poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies finds that an incredible 80% of Marylanders support natural gas production in the United States, including 60% who “strongly support” it. The poll finds large majority support for developing natural gas among both men and women, across all political affiliations, and in every region of the state.

As for producing natural gas specifically in western Maryland, where the Marcellus Shale could provide significant new economic opportunities for the Old Line State, nearly 75% of voters in the state express support. Production in western Maryland also enjoys majority support across all demographics polled in the state.

This poll comes as another Quinnipiac survey in New York shows a plurality of voters support Marcellus Shale development, a fact that has remained consistent in Quinnipiac’s polling over the past few months. A Siena poll from last month also found more New Yorkers supported than opposed natural gas production.

And in neighboring Pennsylvania, where the Mighty Marcellus is the source of significant job creation and the rebirth of manufacturing, voters say the economic benefits of drilling outweigh any perceived environmental issues by 62 percent to 30 percent.

Throughout the United States, natural gas development enjoys 81% support according to a recent poll by the American Consumer Institute (ACI).

READ MORE

• Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies: Maryland Statewide Poll on Natural Gas
• Marcellus Shale Coalition: “Mighty Marcellus Continues Impressive Job Creation Streak Across the Commonwealth“
• American Consumer Institute: “New Poll Reveals Consumers Support Expanding U.S. Energy Initiatives to Create Jobs“
• Quinnipiac University: New York State (NY) Poll (Oct. 27, 2011)