We've all had to dig a little deeper in our pockets when visiting the gas station lately. The national average is fast approaching $4 per gallon. A weak economy, coupled with higher gas prices, is another burden placed on struggling families and businesses across Michigan and the country.

The pain at the pump has again sparked conversations about domestic energy development. It's time we realize that American oil, gas and coal are viable solutions to our energy crisis.

It's hard to believe that not long ago a gallon of gas was around $1.85. Today, it's more than doubled. While President Barack Obama's speeches often reflect a pro-domestic energy mentality, his actions say otherwise. One of the first initiatives he took as president was to cancel many oil leases on federal lands. From 2010 to 2011, production on federally controlled lands fell 14 percent.

The United States is sitting on a treasure trove of natural resources. New practices allow producers to easily extract natural gas, coal and oil from the ground, all while doing it cheaper, safer and with less disruption to the landscape.

Unfortunately, the president will not even acknowledge how much oil and natural gas is right under our feet. According to a recent statement, the president believes the U.S. only owns 2 percent of the world's oil reserves. But according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that's only the percentage oil companies are currently drilling — not potential. That number is actually much higher. It's not a lack of supply that is holding us back.

Domestic energy production will create jobs. The Keystone XL pipeline project would create 20,000 real, "shovel-ready" jobs immediately and hundreds of thousands of jobs down the road. Unfortunately, the administration has refused to move forward.

House Republicans remain committed to utilizing this abundance of energy resources. That's why we're trying to open up new areas for exploration and development. American energy production will bring energy costs down for manufacturers and consumers.

It will help bring down the deficit because of new American royalties. And it will create jobs right here in our own country.

If the president had chosen to acknowledge this reality three years ago, we'd already be seeing more American jobs and cheaper energy. Instead, he's chosen to do very little, sometimes even standing in the way of potential growth by letting big government be the arbitrator of job creation.

The private sector, not the government, is and will always remain the real job creator in our country. If producers are given more liberty to pursue these techniques, it could put America in a position to become one of the largest energy producers in the world. And that would mean more jobs, greater security and lower energy prices.

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