Grand Canyon Times

Amid a surge in gas prices around Arizona and across the country, organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute have been pushing for increased energy production in the U.S. 

According to a recent poll from the Institute, nine out of 10 U.S. voters support increased U.S. energy production over foreign energy reliance. The poll also revealed that 92% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans support the U.S. developing more domestic sources of energy.

As reported by API, 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.

“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,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said in a release on the API website. “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.” 

The poll said 84% of participants believe increased energy production domestically would make the U.S. more secure against the actions of countries such as Russia. Of that total 83% were Democrats and 88% were Republicans, the story said.

President Joe Biden announced in a tweet posted March 8 that the U.S. was "banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy." Biden said the sanctions would target "the main artery of Russia's economy."

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) was among those blaming Biden’s policies for the skyrocketing 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," Newhouse wrote March 8 in his weekly column.

Many analysts say the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war have caused the surge in energy costs.

"COVID-19 changed the game, not President Biden," Patrick De Haan, a petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, told the New York Times.

Gas prices in Arizona currently sit at $4.58 per gallon as of March 11, according to the numbers posted by the American Automobile Association. That’s up from $3.97 per gallon a week ago, and $3.66 per gallon last month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that gas prices are up 40% year over year.

Sommers also declared that "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."

The API poll showed that 85% of voters believe U.S. natural gas and oil production helps America maintain a leadership role during a period of global uncertainty and could help lower energy costs for American consumers and small businesses.

In early 2022, President Biden stifled domestic energy production by signing a series of executive orders that instead prioritize climate change, CNBC reported in January.