CAES News
Memo: Florida Energy Survey
MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 13, 2006
TO: CONSUMER ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY SECURITY
FROM: MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS
RE: FLORIDA SURVEY RESULTS [download PDF version of memo]
Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) conducted a survey of 600 likely voters in Florida on May 31-June 1, 2006. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 4.0% at a 95% confidence interval. The national survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2006. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence interval. MPA is pleased to present the following key findings.
HIGH ENERGY PRICES ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTING FLORIDA FAMILIES
The energy crisis has reached critical mass in Florida. Sixty-three percent of voters believe rising energy costs have become a very serious problem—slightly higher than voters nationally—and 88% say prices are straining their financial resources.
Higher energy costs are perceived as a tax on Floridians and a threat to economic growth and job creation in the state.
NATURAL GAS VIEWED POSITIVELY AMONG FLORIDIANS
Natural gas is seen as a safe, reliable and clean source of traditionally low cost energy.
POSITIVE IMAGE OF NATURAL GAS HELPS DRIVE DEMAND FOR ACTION
An overwhelming majority of Floridians say current energy policies are limiting access to natural gas supplies--resulting in higher costs for consumers. Voters believe these policies need to change.
MAJORITY SUPPORTS OFFSHORE DRILLING FOR NATURAL GAS NATIONALLY AND IN FLORIDA
By a ratio of nearly 2:1, Florida voters support increased drilling for natural gas on the Outer Continental Shelf as well as for drilling off Florida’s coastline.
Coastal counties and non-coastal counties are equally supportive of increasing drilling for natural gas off Florida’s coasts.
PLEASE SEE PDF VERSION FOR THIS GRAPH
ENERGY CRISIS IS PERCEIVED AS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT
The national security issues surrounding the energy crisis continue to be a strong argument in favor of off shore drilling for natural gas. Floridians want to reduce their reliance on foreign energy by increasing domestic supplies of energy (natural gas).
