API poll sees rising US support for Canadian oil use
A significant majority of American voters would like the US to rely more on oil from Canada to meet domestic needs, rather than from other countries, according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Voters feel better about importing oil from Canada knowing that Canadian oil sands development and the Keystone XL pipeline will bring significant job creation in the US for Americans and increase the nation's energy security, according to the trade group.
"President Obama has acknowledged the importance of importing more of Canada's oil to help meet our nation's energy needs," said API executive vice president Marty Durbin.
"As our polling shows, this puts him on the same page as most Americans. We hope it also is an indication his administration will do what's best for our nation's economic and energy security by approving the Keystone XL project."
Additionally, voters reacted very positively to the fact that for every dollar the US spends on Canadian oil, up to 90 cents is returned to the US by Canadians through the purchase of US goods and services.
Key findings of the poll, according to the API, include:
- Most Americans are not aware of how much Canadian oil is sent to the U.S. every day, and 65% underestimate the amount that is imported from Canada.
- Most Americans (79%) feel that more US imports of oil should come from Canada.
- 80% believe US policies should support use of Canadian oil sands and should allow pipelines to transport the oil into America.
- Almost nine out of ten voters felt better about importing oil from Canada knowing that Canada is a ally and neighbor here in North America, and that the Keystone XL Pipeline will immediately create up to 20,000 jobs for Americans here in the US
The telephone survey of 924 registered voters was conducted between October 28 and October 31, and has a sampling error of +/-3.2%.
For more details on the poll, click here.
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