The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) yesterday released disturbing new data that shows the United States has been increasing its dependence on oil from one of the most unstable regions in the world. Middle Eastern oil now accounts for more than 25 percent of American oil imports—a nine year high that has come at the same time as record gasoline prices.

No wonder gasoline prices have increased from $1.84 per gallon to as high as $4 per gallon under President Obama’s failed leadership. The United States cannot expect stable gasoline prices when we significantly increase our dependence on unstable Middle Eastern oil. Developing our nation’s own energy resources insulates us from the price shocks brought upon by instability in the Middle East.

President Obama likes to talk about the increased oil production coming from state and private lands that his Administration serendipitously stumbled into and has no control over. However, the President never mentions the decline in federal oil and natural gas production that has come on his watch and that he is responsible to administer.

EIA data shows that under President Obama failed energy leadership, oil and natural gas production of federal lands has declined 14 and 11 percent, respectively. Total federal energy production is down 7 percent since 2003. This is a direct result of President Obama’s anti-energy policies including taking on average 30 percent longer for approval of an onshore energy permits and offering the least number of offshore leases in the history of America’s offshore drilling program.

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