Central Wisconsin News

As gasoline prices skyrocket, organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) continue push for increased American energy production. A recent poll from API shows strong support on this matter from both Democrats and Republicans. 

In Wisconsin, gasoline prices are averaging $4.05 per gallon, while the national average is $4.33 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. In a news release, the American Petroleum Institute (API) cited a recent poll indicating that 9 out of 10 Americans back increased U.S. energy production over reliance on foreign energy sources. According to the API release, the poll also shows bipartisan support, with 92% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans supporting the nation exploring 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 Somers, president and CEO of API, said in the news release, which was issued before President Joe Biden’s recent State of the Union address.

In its release, API cited a poll that showed bipartisan support for the idea 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, a notion supported by 84% of respondents, including 88% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats who 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,” Somers said in the API release. 

Opponents are quick to blame Biden for the current energy situation. A CNBC report notes that the president signed a series of executive orders after taking office more than a year ago that put a pause on the leasing of federal lands for oil and gas exploration and initiated reviews of existing permits. In a weekly column, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) 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,” Newhouse wrote earlier this month in the column, which was posted on his website.  

Sommers maintained in the API release that circumstances make it necessary for the president to hold up the U.S. as a global leader in the energy sector and make the country a key source of oil and natural gas for the domestic and global markets.

The Biden administration also took steps recently to expand sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. In a post on Twitter, the Biden administration noted that the U.S. would ban the import of Russian oil, gas and energy.

The API release 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, and a move that could result in lower energy costs domestically. The poll, according to the API news release, noted that its poll was conducted by Morning Consult on Feb. 25-26 and included 2,002 registered voters in a national sampling, with a margin of error of two percentage points in either direction.