Overwhelming Majority of North Dakotans Favor Oil and Gas Development

Overwhelming Majority of North Dakotans Favor Oil and Gas Development

The North Dakota Petroleum Council
January 21, 2014

Bismarck, N.D. – Four of five North Dakotans statewide favor oil and gas development, according to a survey commissioned by the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC). The survey also found that 73 percent of North Dakotans agree benefits of oil and gas development outweigh the risks and that 83 percent believe oil and gas production should increase or stay the same.

“North Dakotans recognize that the oil and gas industry has been a game-changer for western North Dakota, revitalizing and growing many of our once-shrinking schools and rural communities,” said Ron Ness, president of the NDPC. “Never before have there been so many opportunities in western North Dakota and across the state.”

The survey is conducted annually to help the industry better gauge how North Dakotans feel about oil and gas development in the state and to identify key issues and challenges that the industry may work to address. The survey found that while a majority of North Dakotans favor oil development, many continue to have some concerns about the impacts faced in western North Dakota, including wear and tear on roads and infrastructure, the amount of traffic, availability of housing, and crime and safety.

“The industry recognizes that there are challenges that come with the rapid growth in western North Dakota,” said Ness. “The survey helps us focus on the issues of greatest concern, and we remain committed to helping western North Dakota deal with these impacts, whether it is through working on solutions to each new challenge, charitable support for and contributions to communities or pushing for more of the tax dollars generated in western North Dakota be directed back to those counties and communities to meet their needs or adding to the infrastructure that helps reduce truck movements and improves safety.
Other key findings include:

• More than half of North Dakotans surveyed statewide believe progress is being made to address the flaring of natural gas and that development should continue despite flaring;

• A majority believes tax dollars should go toward schools and education, roads and infrastructure, and reducing property taxes before wildlife and parks

“It’s pretty clear from the data that North Dakotans are widely supportive of the oil and gas industry and they recognize the important role it plays in the state’s economy,” said Erik Iverson, Vice-President of Moore Information, the firm that conducted the survey. “At the same time folks also see progress being made on issues like flaring and want to see their tax dollars going toward improving the state’s schools and infrastructure.”

Moore Information, Inc., an opinion research firm with offices in Missoula, Mont., Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C. A total of 794 telephone interviews were conducted, with 600 among a representative sample of voters statewide, plus an additional 194 interviews in North Dakota’s 19 oil and gas producing counties. The survey was conducted in November of 2013.