9 in 10 U.S. Voters Support American Energy Production Over Reliance on Foreign Energy: New API Poll

API highlights benefits of American energy ahead of State of the Union

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2022 – Ahead of today’s State of the Union Address, API President and CEO Mike Sommers highlighted the importance of American energy leadership as both geopolitical volatility and energy costs rise. API also released new polling by Morning Consult that found 90 percent of American voters support the U.S. developing its own domestic energy resources rather than relying on foreign energy sources.  

“Tonight’s State of the Union address comes at a moment of uncertainty and volatility around the world, and now more than ever is the time for President Biden to confirm the United States’ role as a global energy leader and send a clear message that America will be a reliable producer and supplier of natural gas and oil at home and abroad for decades to come,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “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. 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.” 

New polling conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of API found: 

• 90 percent of voters support the U.S. developing its own domestic sources of energy rather than relying on other regions of the world (Democrats 92%; Independents 86%; Republicans 90%).
• 85 percent believe producing natural gas and oil here in the U.S. helps America maintain a leadership role during a period of global uncertainty (Democrats 82%; Independents 78%; Republicans 91%).
• 85 percent believe that producing natural gas and oil here in the U.S. could help lower energy costs for American consumers and small businesses (Democrats 81%; Independents 80%; Republicans 90%).
• 84 percent agree that producing natural gas and oil here in the U.S. helps make our country and allies more secure against actions by other countries such as Russia (Democrats 83%; Independents 78%; Republicans 88%).

Earlier this week, API President and CEO Mike Sommers sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other administration officials outlining steps key regulatory agencies should take to ensure long-term American energy leadership and security at a time of increased geopolitical volatility. API also submitted a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland seeking clarification on DOI’s response to Louisiana v. Biden regarding leasing and permitting delays and urging the department to prioritize and move forward with its statutory requirements to issue quarterly lease sales and issue a five-year plan for offshore development.

API’s ongoing “Keep America Competitive” campaign, launched in 2021, emphasizes the importance of American energy leadership for reducing reliance on foreign energy sources.

Methodology: The poll was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of API on February 25-26, 2022, among a national sample of 2,002 registered voters. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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