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Western Energy Attitudes

Western Energy Attitudes. Tim Wigley President Western Energy Alliance. Research. Bringing discipline to our advocacy and offering political cover to our friends and allies. Research Background. Political “marketing” is different

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Western Energy Attitudes

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  1. Western Energy Attitudes Tim Wigley President Western Energy Alliance

  2. Research Bringing discipline to our advocacy and offering political cover to our friends and allies

  3. Research Background • Political “marketing” is different • Unlike typical corporate marketing – with substantial financial resources and time – in an effort to get 3, 5, or 7% of the market share (if lucky) – the “marketing / advocacy” of the Alliance offers little resources, little time, with a requirement to attain 50% PLUS ONE of the “market share” • Laser beam focus is required

  4. Research Background Continued • Issue Management Campaigns • Healthy Forests • ESA • ANWR • Gray Wolf Management

  5. Hot off the Press! Survey conducted March 19-22, 2012 Conducted by The Tarrance Group 1,000 high-performing voters in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, New Mexico and North Dakota

  6. President Obama has problems in the West! 69% of voters feel the country is on the “wrong track” 59% feel strongly this way Only 26% feel “right track” 10 point gender gap (more men feel wrong track)

  7. President’s Job Approval in the West 42% approve / 54% disapprove 48% strongly disapprove Nationally: 53% approve / 45% disapprove/ 39% strongly disapprove

  8. President’s Energy Policies 54% disapprove of his handling of energy issues 37% approve Many voters question whether or not the President truly has an energy policy

  9. However….people do generally support his efforts to develop alternative sources 55% approve of his efforts to develop alternatives 39% strong approve “peel the onion”

  10. The most important issues… Jobs & Economy: 35% Government Spending: 28% The Environment: 3%

  11. Impressions of the industry “oil & gas” industry: 48% favorable “natural gas” industry: 69% favorable

  12. Increased energy production on public lands 72% support increased production 56% strongly support

  13. Regulations 37% say too many regulations 25% say too few 28% say about right The 28% would be our advocacy target – like an un-decided voter

  14. Regulations continued… 66% agree that a moratorium on any new rules and regulations is needed This was a major theme in the “Blueprint”

  15. “Fracking” High level of awareness 38% very concerned 30% somewhat concerned 30% no concern

  16. Banning “fracking” 28% would support a ban 58% would oppose a ban 38% oppose strongly

  17. Keystone Pipeline 82% have seen, read or heard 69% favor development / 55% strongly Only 23% oppose development

  18. So what now? What’s the game plan? What do we do with this information?

  19. The political environment is perfect! • More than any previous election, ENERGY issues ARE and WILL CONTINUE to play a major role in the 2012 election cycle • When the economy is strong and the 401(k) is growing – people can afford to be “green” • Issues of the environment have not been in the top 10 issues of concern in ANY survey work I’ve done in the past two years. • Jobs and the economy have been #1 in EVERY survey

  20. “Messaging” • We will conduct “dial test” focus groups to further test specific messages from this survey • We will create a “language dictionary” • Speeches, newsletters, interviews, etc. We try and speak from the same page, of the same book, at the same time • Give elected officials a “backbone of courage” or a “cushion of comfort” as these issues take center stage in the public domain

  21. On a personal note – GRASSROOTS is key! • I remember the days when…. • 2000 election brought false hopes • Our grassroots were burned out! We “assumed” things would change and problems solved / reversed from the previous 8 years • Our collective sigh of relief ended up biting us • New Administration shows up in 2009 with a plan, agenda and a determination to get it done

  22. GRASSROOTS continued…. • Part of the blame goes directly to industry who stopped funding grassroots • We’ve already begun the process of re-igniting this old coalition with new techniques and technologies • In May we met with leading sportsmen and conservations groups • We met with Cattlemen last week / larger meeting to follow • On deck: Farm Bureau; Mining; Forestry; recreation communities

  23. The West will play a key role in 2012 Several states will be key “swing” states: Colorado, New Mexico and Montana Not a ton of electoral votes – but difference makers in a close campaign season! Key Senate races in New Mexico, Montana and North Dakota

  24. WARNING! If there is a change due to the election – this Administration is already looking at what they can do in the “lame duck” period: use of Antiquities Act to create more monuments (de-facto wilderness) And more…via Executive Orders We must be ready!

  25. The Blueprint for Western Energy Prosperity Please go to our website: www.westernenergyalliance.org Download the document and you can see our strategies for informing the public about the importance of Western energy

  26. Thank you! Tim Wigley, President Western Energy Alliance twigley@westernenergyalliance.org 303-623-0987

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