Annapolis, Md., April 24, 2014 ─ Strong bipartisan majorities of registered Maryland voters support increased investment in energy infrastructure, including the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal at Cove Point, according to a new poll the Maryland Petroleum Council (MPC) is releasing as part of the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) campaign highlighting the voices of Americans.

“This poll shows strong majorities of Maryland voters support more domestic oil and natural gas development, regardless of party affiliation,” said Drew Cobbs, executive director of MPC, “Marylanders get it; America’s economic future, the availability of affordable and reliable energy, depends on the policies created today.”

Maryland voters also voiced their strong support for exports of natural gas from the Cove Point LNG terminal. 74 percent agreed that exporting natural gas helps create U.S. jobs, and 77 agreed that exporting natural gas from facilities such as Cove Point in Maryland is good for the state's economy.

“The Cove Point terminal represents one of Maryland’s best opportunities to participate in the energy revolution, create thousands of jobs, and generate millions in state revenue,” said Cobbs. “America is now the world’s leading producer of natural gas, and Maryland voters want to be a part of this opportunity to strengthen America’s position on the international stage.”

API and MPC will use social media, advertising and API’s grassroots resources of more than 24 million Americans to communicate the importance of America’s energy future to members of Congress, the administration and elected officials at every level of government.

The state-wide telephone poll, conducted for API by Harris Poll among 602 registered Maryland voters also found that:

• 91 percent of registered Maryland voters agree that increased development of the country’s energy infrastructure would help create jobs in the U.S. 
• 88 percent say increased production of domestic oil and natural gas resources could help stimulate the economy.

MPC is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.

Methodology The study was conducted April 9-16, 2014 by telephone by Harris Poll on behalf of API among 602 registered voters in Maryland, with a sampling error of +/- 4%. A full methodology is available upon request.

"What America is Thinking on Energy Issues" is a public opinion series provided by API, offering data to inform policy discussions and ensure policymakers and others know Americans' perspectives on key energy issues.