EQT Corporation: 70 percent of nationwide voters support increasing natural gas production

A nationwide poll commissioned by Pittsburgh-based EQT Corporation found that voters, regardless of their political party, are in favor of increasing natural gas production.

The Impact Research survey found that most Americans consider natural gas an affordable and reliable alternative to coal. Additionally, the survey found that once voters heard about natural gas’ benefits, they were in favor of building new natural gas pipeline infrastructure to support increased production, regardless of their political affiliation.

“Americans are recognizing the tremendous impact natural gas can make in our efforts to provide the world with energy security, lower energy prices and inflation, and address climate change,” EQT President and CEO Toby Z. Rice said. “These poll results demonstrate that Americans want more natural gas production and support the infrastructure needed to make it a reality.”

The survey released last week found that 64 percent of voters believe increased natural gas production can help address climate change. The study found that 65 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Independents favor a steady transition to cleaner energy sources using any option currently available to keep energy affordable and reliable, even if it is not entirely renewable. The survey also found that most voters want to see natural gas used as a source of energy, ranking only slightly behind renewables like solar and wind.

The survey also found that voters are more likely to support a political candidate who supports increasing natural gas production.

The survey polled 1,057 registered voters, with an additional oversample of 578 Democrats. The firm said the margin of error for the main sample was plus or minus 3 percentage points.