Bob McCarty Writes

Living in Missouri, I was interested in the results of a new survey about which the folks at the American Petroleum Institute informed me today. That survey found 66 percent of Missouri voters support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources.

At the Energy Tomorrow web site, I learned even more about nationwide public opinion related to the issue:

It seems that the rest of the country shares the same view. Polls from Pew, CNN, Zogby and others indicate that the majority of Americans from coast to coast are in support of more energy exploration in the United States.

This is a critical shift in public opinion, and one that our leaders in Washington need to recognize. According to federal government data, the United States has enough oil to fuel more than 65 million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 65 years. But current policies restrict access to 85% of the outer continental shelf and 83% of onshore federal lands.

Missouri voters and people across the country understand the importance of developing America’s abundant resources. And with advanced technology, we can efficiently explore these resources while protecting the environment.

If you find yourself among the vast majority of Americans who support expanded energy exploration, I invite you to DRILL CONGRESS! Share the results of this survey — and keep sharing the results on a frequent and regular basis — with your members of Congress and with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the one person who most needs to know that it’s time to drill on land and at sea.

By the way, Speaker Pelosi can be reached in Washington, D.C., at 202-225-0100.