Public Opinion Poll Summary

Pennsylvania voters support using state revenues from natural gas drilling to support land, water and wildlife conservation.

The bipartisan polling team of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R) recently partnered to complete a statewide survey of Pennsylvania voters on issues related to natural gas drilling revenues for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Below is a summary of the results:

53% of voters indicated they would support establishing a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania
87% of those polled agreed that, if a severance tax was established, "some of the money raised should be dedicated to land, water and wildlife protection, due to the impact that drilling will have on Pennsylvania's natural areas, water and wildlife."
79% of respondents favored dedicating 25% of revenue from a severance tax to protect land, water and wildlife.
55% of those polled think that money from gas drilling in publicly-owned state forests should continue to be dedicated to land, water and wildlife conservation.

Consistency in response rates was seen across multiple demographics. Responses were similar between men & women, voters under & over the age of 50, Democrats, Republicans & independents, voters with & without a 4 year degree, and white voters & voters of color.

The survey results reveal a Pennsylvania electorate committed to ensuring that a significant portion of state revenues from natural gas drilling be used to protect land, water and wildlife. Voters not only believe that revenue from drilling leases on public land should continue to go that purpose, they also support dedicating as much as one-quarter of the revenue from a severance tax on natural gas drilling to conservation programs.

Download the full Public Opinion Polling Memo