From The Center Square
By Casey Harper
Newly released polling data shows that voters in several key swing states this November support domestic oil drilling.
The American Petroleum Institute commissioned the poll, but it was conducted by the reputable pollster, Morning Consult.
According to the poll, more than 90% of voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are concerned about inflation.
“Voters in electoral battleground states are concerned about inflation and are experiencing financial pain, and they see a role for domestic natural gas and oil production in helping consumers and small businesses,” the poll said.
The poll found that in the same seven states, 80% or more of voters support “producing more natural gas and oil here in the United States could help lower energy and utility costs for American consumers and small businesses.”
About 70% or more of voters in the same states “oppose government mandates that would ban gas stoves, gas furnaces, or new gasoline, diesel and hybrid vehicles.”
Experts estimate those regulations would increase costs significantly, while proponents of the rules point to health and climate concerns.
Prices have risen more than 20% since President Joe Biden took office.
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to release a plan Thursday to help get prices under control, though critics immediately blasted the “price control” elements of the plan, arguing it does not address the government spending that helped fuel inflation.
Government spending is offset by printing money, which increases the overall money supply and as a result, inflation.
The rising cost of food and energy have been major contributors to inflation’s increase, though prices have risen for all kinds of goods and services.
Domestic oil production has been a controversial political issue for years, with Democrats largely calling to reign in or stop drilling altogether, citing climate concerns. Republicans have mostly called for expanding or at least continuing drilling to create more jobs, lower costs and make the U.S. less reliant on often hostile nations in the Middle East.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for increasing American energy independence.
“The U.S. continues to be a global leader in energy production, but the American people recognize that our leaders in Washington must advance an agenda to grow our nation’s energy advantage for decades to come,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said in a statement. “With geopolitical tensions rising and inflation remaining a top concern, we need policies that reinforce the role of American energy on the world stage and support access to the affordable, reliable energy consumers need.”
