CINCINNATI — While former Vice President Mike Pence was a major topic of discussion Thursday during the Jan. 6th Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., he, along with Gov. Mike DeWine, visited Cincinnati to meet with leaders in the energy industry. 

The meeting began with opening remarks from DeWine, who said there’s close to a $100 billion investment in the gas industry in Ohio. Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio combined make up one-third of the production of natural gas in the world. 

With the current rise in gas prices, Pence said prices are at a 40-year high with gas prices averaging more than $5 per gallon across the country.

He said it’s causing a great hardship on the American people and blamed it all on President Joe Biden.

He said it’s time to steer Ohio back to being energy independent.

“Gasoline prices are rising because of Joe Biden’s war on energy and we must bring the war on energy to an end and we must unleash American energy here in Ohio and all across the nation,” said Pence. 

Media was not given access to the rest of the meeting, but leaders were expected to discuss the benefits of homegrown natural gas and Ohio and share operation updates.

The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program hosted the roundtable discussion. 

As this meeting was happening, the U.S. House Jan. 6th Committee was hosting its hearing. The committee focused on the pressure Pence faced to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Pence did not take questions regarding Jan. 6.