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Poll: 76 percent of West Virginians support natural gas pipeline development

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Seventy-six percent of West Virginians support the construction of underground pipelines in West Virginia to transport natural gas to areas where it is used and sold, according to the results of a recent statewide survey by Mark Blankenship Enterprises conducted on behalf of the West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association.Gas Pipeline Poll Graphic

“West Virginians recognize the tremendous economic infusion the development of the six currently proposed interstate natural gas pipelines hold for our state as well as their ability to make America more energy independent,” said Corky DeMarco, executive director of the West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association.

“The projects, currently under consideration by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), represent what may be one of the largest private sector infrastructure investments in our state’s history,” said DeMarco. “We need our political leaders and our citizens to call upon FERC to approve these projects in quick order.”

The survey, which included 500 completed interviews among registered West Virginia voters, was conducted Jan. 19-22, 2016.

Other findings of the survey include:

  • Eighty-two percent of West Virginians believe growing the natural gas industry in West Virginia is important to creating more jobs and providing more tax revenue to the state for services such as roads and schools.
  • Even though 69 percent of West Virginians believe the state of West Virginia is headed in the wrong direction, 93 percent of respondents believe the natural gas industry will be important to West Virginia’s economy and job market 10 years from now.
  • Eighty-three percent of West Virginians believe that developing more natural gas in West Virginia will help the U.S. become less dependent on foreign energy, such as oil from other countries.
  • Fifty-five percent of West Virginians support the practice of hydraulic fracking as a means to increase production of natural gas wells in West Virginia.

“West Virginians recognize that our state’s natural gas industry is a major economic engine for the state and the communities in which we operate,” said Corky DeMarco, president of the West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association.

“While this poll shows West Virginians have a favorable opinion of the natural gas industry, we recognize that we have to continue to earn that trust everyday through safe, responsible and environmentally sound development practices,” DeMarco said.

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For more information, contact:

Corky DeMarco

Executive Director, WV Oil & Natural Gas Association

(304) 343-1609

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