Majority of Americans Favor Energy Independence, Poll Shows
A new survey indicates strong public support for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on foreign oil and natural gas, citing national security and economic benefits.
A significant majority of American adults believe the United States should prioritize energy independence, with 53% supporting the goal of no longer relying on foreign countries for oil and natural gas, according to a recent poll.
Conducted by Morning Consult for the Council for a Secure America (CSA) from September 25-27, the survey of 2,200 adults revealed that 18% of respondents disagreed with the concept of energy independence. The findings align with a similar poll from June 2025, which found 56% of Americans holding the same view.
The survey posed the statement: “America’s energy independence makes our country safer because we no longer rely on foreign countries for energy, such as oil and natural gas.”
Beyond national security, respondents also see economic advantages. Fifty-seven percent agreed that energy independence bolsters the economy by creating high-paying jobs, preventing foreign entities from artificially inflating prices, and keeping American capital within the country. Thirteen percent disagreed with this sentiment, while 31% offered no opinion.
When presented with two distinct statements, 71% of participants favored the idea that “America is safer when it makes its own energy and does not rely on other countries for oil or natural gas.” Conversely, 29% leaned towards the view that “America is part of a global energy economy and doesn’t need to produce all of its own energy.”
Further underscoring public demand for domestic energy production, 67% of respondents supported common-sense permitting reform to enable American energy infrastructure to meet growing electricity needs and lower costs. Only 7% disagreed with this, and 26% were undecided.
The poll was conducted amid ongoing global energy price volatility, influenced in part by international conflicts. The Council for a Secure America advocates for American energy independence, viewing it as a critical component of U.S. national security.
The survey has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.