Outer Banks Times

As gas prices continue on their steep upward trend, organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) are pushing for increased American energy production.

A recent poll from the API shows strong support on this matter from both Democrats and Republicans. 

In the state of North Carolina, gas prices are averaging $4.18 per gallon, while the national average is $4.31 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The API cited a recent poll in which nine out of 10 Americans expressed support for increased U.S. energy production over reliance on foreign energy sources. The poll also found bipartisan support, with 92% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans onboard with the nation developing its own sources of energy. 

“While it’s unclear what lies ahead as Russia invades Ukraine, we know one thing for sure: American energy is a positive force in difficult times, helping to provide stability for the U.S. and our allies,” Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the API, said before President Joe Biden’s recent State of the Union address.

The API noted that 84% of voters say that domestic production of oil and natural gas can make the U.S. and its allies more secure against aggressions by Russia or other countries. When broken down by party, 88% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats support domestic oil and natural gas production. 

“We have the technology, innovation and resources here in the U.S. to meet this moment, while at the same time furthering progress toward our shared climate goals,” Sommers said, according to the API website.

Biden signed a series of executive orders after taking office more than a year ago, which put a pause on leasing of federal lands for oil and gas exploration and initiated reviews of existing permits. In a weekly column on his website, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) blamed the administration for the current spike in gasoline and energy prices.

“By effectively shutting down our own supply of critical oil and gas, the Biden administration increased our reliance on foreign countries for our energy needs, increased global emissions and increased gas prices for American families,” he wrote earlier this month.

Sommers maintained, ahead of Biden’s address, that circumstances make it necessary for the president to hold the U.S. up as a global leader in the energy sector and make it a key source of oil and natural gas for the domestic and global markets. 

In a March 8 tweet, Biden said, "Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports — and the American people will deal another powerful blow against Putin’s war machine."

The API also noted that domestic gas and oil production gives the U.S. a position of leadership during geopolitical uncertainty, a position held by 85% of those responding to the poll, a move that could result in lower energy costs domestically. The API noted that its poll was conducted by Morning Consult on Feb. 25 and 26 and included 2,002 registered voters in a national sampling, with a margin of error of 2 percentage points in either direction.