Despite Intense Negative Media Focus, Americans Still Believe the Benefits of Natural Gas Outweigh the Risk

NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a year of intense media scrutiny on hydraulic fracturing, the manner in which most oil and natural gas companies access natural gas, two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they believe the benefits of natural gas outweigh the risks while 17% say the risks outweigh the benefits. Natural gas has maintained a relatively low price, compared to other fuels with similar uses (like fuel oil and gasoline). Additionally, it is considered a relatively clean source of energy. For Americans, these factors seem to outweigh the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, the extraction method most associated with gas.

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These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,056 adults surveyed online between February 6 and 13, 2012 by Harris Interactive.

There are significant generational differences, however, Echo Boomers (ages 18-35) are less likely to believe the benefits outweigh the risks than Matures (those 67 and older) are (53% vs. 84%). And, people living in the East are less likely than those in the West to agree that the benefits outweigh the risks (60% vs. 71%).

There is also a political difference when it comes to feelings on natural gas. Three out of four Republicans (74%) believe the benefits of natural gas outweigh the risks compared to just over three in five Democrats (62%) and over two-thirds of Independents (69%) who believe the benefits outweigh the risks.  Looking at the reverse, the partisan differences are significant, with larger portions of Democrats (21%) and Independents (19%) believing the risks outweigh the benefits than Republicans who believe this (10%).

The close divide over coal

In 2009, two in five Americans (42%) said the risks of using coal outweighed the benefits while 36% believed the benefits outweighed the risks. In 2011, the view did not change all that much as 38% said benefits outweighed risks, but 43% believed the risks outweighed the benefits. This year, the number of people who say the benefits outweigh the risks continues to inch upward as 42% say that while 40% currently say the risks outweigh the benefits.

There are some clear regional and generational differences for coal. Almost half of those in the Midwest (49%) and South (48%) say the benefits outweigh the risks compared to 35% of those in the East and 33% of those in the West. There is also a clear age divide as Baby Boomers (ages 48-66) and Matures are more likely to say benefits of coal outweigh the risks than both Echo Boomers and Gen Xers (ages 36-47); over half of Matures (54%) and 47% of Baby Boomers say the benefits of coal outweigh the risks compared to 39% of Gen Xers and 33% of Echo Boomers.

So What?

At the end of the day, what matters most to Americans is how much they are paying to heat their homes and fuel their lifestyles. This may explain why natural gas has maintained a positive position relative to its risks, said Sarah Simmons, Senior Research Executive and Industry Thought Leader. Natural gas is inexpensive, clean and accessible.  Americans' view of coal suffers, especially when we look at generational breaks due to environmental factors.

TABLE 1
BENEFITS VERSUS RISKS FOR VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES
"There are many sources of electric power used in the U.S.  To the best of your knowledge, would you say the benefits of each source outweigh the risks or do you believe the risks outweigh the benefits?"

Base: All adults

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding

TABLE 2
BENEFITS VERSUS RISKS FOR VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES – By Generation, Region and Party
"There are many sources of electric power used in the U.S.  To the best of your knowledge, would you say the benefits of each source outweigh the risks or do you believe the risks outweigh the benefits?"
Percentage Saying "Benefits Outweigh Risks"

Base: All adults

TABLE 3
RISKS VERSUS BENEFITS FOR VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES – By Party
"There are many sources of electric power used in the U.S.  To the best of your knowledge, would you say the benefits of each source outweigh the risks or do you believe the risks outweigh the benefits?"
Percentage Saying "Risks Outweigh Benefits"

Base: All adults

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between February 6 to 13, 2012 among 2,056 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

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The Harris Poll® #30, March 21, 2012
By Regina A. Corso, SVP, Harris Poll, Public Relations and Youth and Education Research, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive