Nearly two-thirds of voters in Florida support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources, according to a new poll conducted by Harris Poll for API's "What America is Thinking on Energy Issues" series.

"Florida has an opportunity to expand its energy portfolio and access the jobs and government revenue currently locked away in America's large offshore energy reserves," said Dave Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council. "We could bring good-paying jobs to Floridians and lift our economy simply by allowing more oil and natural gas production off our shores."

Areas throughout the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) could be made available for oil and natural gas development, creating more than 280,000 jobs, $200 billion in government revenue and 3.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to a recent study by Quest Offshore Resources.

The state-wide telephone poll, conducted for API by Harris Poll among 610 registered Florida voters also found that:

· 90 percent agree increased oil and natural gas production could strengthen America's energy security.
· 85 percent say increased oil and natural gas production could help lower energy costs for consumers.
· 80 percent say increased oil and natural gas production could benefit federal and state budgets through lease payments, royalty fees and other sources of revenue.
· 58 percent say that the federal government does not do enough to encourage U.S. oil and natural gas development.

The Florida Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America's technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide 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 telephone study was conducted by telephone on January 15-19, 2015 by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute among 610 registered voters in Florida, with a sampling error of +/- 4 percent. 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.