AXPC Poll: Voters Strongly Back Oil and Natural Gas Development, Easier Permitting for All Energy Projects

August 13, 2026

WASHINGTON – The American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) today released a national survey showing that voters prioritize lowering energy costs and view oil and natural gas as important to keeping prices affordable. As a result, a strong majority of voters support expanding oil and natural gas production and making the permitting process easier for energy development projects.

“Voters across the political spectrum agree that supporting oil and natural gas production is key to making life in America more affordable,” said Anne Bradbury, AXPC CEO. “It’s time to break the cycle of policy uncertainty that delays and derails critical energy investments, and passing durable, source-neutral permitting reform will provide a pathway to lower costs for struggling families.”

The poll finds that voters are laser-focused on rising energy costs heading into the midterm elections. 79 percent say their energy bills have gone up in the past year, while 85 percent identify “lowering energy costs for families” as an important issue.

As voters demand price relief, 79 percent believe oil and natural gas are important for keeping energy costs affordable for American families, including a wide majority of Democrats and Independents.

A broad bipartisan coalition also thinks it is too hard to develop new energy projects across energy sources. 60 percent say it should be easier to permit, site, and build energy projects like natural gas facilities or wind farms. At the same time, 63 percent support expanding American oil and natural gas production to help meet America’s energy demands.

Read the polling memo from GS Strategy Group here.

Methodology:

GS Strategy Group interviewed 1,000 likely voters nationwide. The online survey was conducted June 22–28, 2026, and has a margin of error of ±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.