To the editor:

Holiday travel season is in full swing, and gas prices are on the minds of many drivers. With smart energy policies, we can help ensure that Ohioans continue to have access to affordable, reliable energy during this holiday season and those to come.

As geopolitical uncertainty continues, it is critical that America prioritizes energy security and reliability. Energy producers in Ohio and across America can help secure our energy future, but it requires smart and supportive policies.

This year, however, the Biden administration has raised fees for oil and natural gas development, canceled planned lease sales and released an offshore leasing proposal with the fewest lease sales in the federal program’s 43-year history. Together, these efforts could result in increased reliance on foreign energy.

What happens in Washington can impact consumers here in Ohio. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, oil and natural gas accounts for 70 percent of the energy Americans used in 2022 and are projected to supply 64 percent of it in 2050.

Our abundant energy resources can help ensure long-term energy security and stability here at home, but we must get the policy equation right.

CHRIS ZEIGLER,

Executive Director,

American Petroleum Institute, Ohio,

Columbus