While the Joe Biden administration, many in Congress and an assortment of extreme green activists seek to end the use of oil and natural gas, the American people show themselves to be far more sane in the results of a new poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute.

Among the key findings in the survey of more than 2,000 registered voters conducted in June with a margin of error of  plus or minus 2 percentage points:

88 percent of voters who responded to the survey agreed it’s important the United States produces oil and natural gas.

90 percent agreed producing oil and natural gas strengthens the U.S. economy.

88 percent agreed oil and natural gas production could help lower energy costs for American consumers and small businesses.

85 percent agreed oil and natural gas production makes the U.S. more secure against actions taken by nations like China and Russia.

80 percent supported the development of U.S. energy infrastructure.

83 percent agreed the government should consider economic data when developing regulations affecting energy production.

For good measure, it’s worth noting that when we’re talking about oil and natural gas production, we’re also talking about small businesses.

According to 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the latest available:

Fully 81.3 percent of firms in the oil and natural gas extraction sector had fewer than 10 employees and 88.9 percent had fewer than 20 employees. Another 95.5 percent had fewer than 100 employees and 98.1 percent fewer than 500 employees.

Among firms that drill oil and natural gas wells, 69.9 percent had fewer than 10 employees and 80.1 percent fewer than 20 employees. Another 93.8 percent had fewer than 100 employees and 97 percent fewer than 500 employees.

Among firms engaged in support activities for oil and natural gas operations, 68.7 percent had fewer than 10 employees and 80.1 percent fewer
than 20 employees. Another 94.7 percent had fewer than 100 employees and
98.4 percent fewer than 500 employees.

The proportions were somewhat smaller for firms involved in constructing oil and natural gas pipelines and related structures, with 43.5 percent of firms with fewer than 10 employees and 57.1 percent with fewer than 20 employees. Another 83.9 percent had fewer than 100 employees and 94.6 percent fewer than 500 employees.

For oil and natural gas field machinery and equipment manufacturers, 39.3 percent had fewer than 10 employees, 55.8 percent had fewer than 20 employees, 81.1 percent fewer than 100 employees and 91 percent fewer than 500 employees.

The American people have also have made it clear they support small businesses. Small businesses led the way in a recent Gallup poll as the institution in the U.S. earning the greatest confidence. Specifically, small business led the way with the highest degree of confidence  — that is, a great deal or fair amount — among the American public at 65 percent. In contrast, 8 percent of Americans reported a great or fair amount of confidence in Congress.

Perhaps it’s time for our elected officials to listen more to the American people about energy than anti-energy activists. After all, the views of the American people turn out to be far more sound on the economics of energy.