WASHINGTON, D.C. – New nationwide and state polls conducted on behalf of Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) by Democratic polling firm Impact Research, reflect a fundamental reality for voters: Energy costs are too high, demand is rising, and Americans increasingly view permitting reform as a key part of the solution.
The nationwide poll found that 82% of voters report increasing energy and utility costs over the last year. Three-quarters of voters realize that energy demand is rising but a majority, including nearly 70% of Democrats, do not think the U.S. is doing a good job making progress towards producing the energy needed to meet that demand. Against that backdrop, two-thirds (66%) of voters and 57% of moderate Democrats support permitting reform to speed up approval processes so we can build new energy infrastructure projects, including natural gas pipelines.
Voter sentiment remains consistent across six key states—Georgia, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where at least 78% of voters report rising costs, at least 66% report rising demand, and at least 64% support permitting reform to build natural gas pipelines in their state.
The findings come as Congress faces a narrowing legislative window ahead of the August recess and the midterm election cycle. Voters rank reducing energy costs as their top energy priority and back permitting reform to address this critical issue.
Key Findings Include:
- Energy costs are too high: 82% of voters say energy and utility costs have increased in the last year, with 44% saying they have increased a lot. 65% cite energy costs as a serious problem, higher than health care (64%), groceries (61%), taxes (60%), and housing (59%).
- America is not keeping up with demand: Three-quarters of voters (75%) say U.S. energy demand is currently rising but rate current progress towards meeting rising energy demand negatively by a 12-point margin (38% positive / 50% negative).
- Voters support permitting reform and natural gas: 71% of Americans and voters across the political spectrum, including 64% of moderate Democrats support permitting reform to speed up the review and approval process for new energy infrastructure—including natural gas pipelines (66% overall, 57% mod Dems). Voters agree by a 29-point margin (57% / 28%) that we must pass permitting reform to keep up with rising demand and by a 24-point margin (54% / 30%) that reform is the key to lowering energy costs.
- Voters view natural gas favorably: Over two-thirds (69%) of voters and 57% of moderate Democrats support increasing both the production and use of natural gas in the U.S. Voters view natural gas production companies (67%) and natural gas pipeline and transportation companies (63%) favorably, including 57% of moderate Democrats viewing both favorably.
- Voters want a practical energy mix: 69% of Americans—including 73% of moderate Democrats—support a steady transition to cleaner energy using all available energy options, including natural gas, to keep energy affordable and reliable as opposed to a rapid transition to renewables.
- Six key states: GA, ME, MI, NC, PA, and VA reflect the national picture:
- At least three-quarters of voters across states say their energy costs have gone up in the last few years, with a majority in Virginia (51%) and an overwhelming 71% in Maine saying their energy costs have increased a lot over the last few years.
- At least two-thirds of voters across these states say energy demand in their state is rising. In Virginia, 50% say demand is rising a lot, and 45% say the same in North Carolina. A plurality across states (except for Georgia) rate their state’s progress towards meeting this demand negatively, with Maine voters especially critical (68% negative).
- At least 64% across states support permitting reform that includes the building of more natural gas pipelines, while nearly 6-in-10 voters across states say their state should use more natural gas.
About the Polls
Impact Research conducted a nationwide online survey of 1,000 registered voters plus an oversample of 250 moderate Democrats, and statewide surveys of 600 registered voters each in six states (Georgia, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia). Interviews were conducted in late February and April 2026. The credibility interval for the main nationwide sample is +/- 3.1, +/- 5.2 for the overall nationwide moderate Democratic oversample, and +/- 4.0 for each state.
About PAGE
The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of energy companies, NGOs, climate advocacy experts and labor unions dedicated to advancing U.S. policies that boost the economy, lower energy costs, reduce global emissions, and increase energy security.