Study ranks states' vulnerability to oil prices

(CNN) — Americans are still far too dependent on foreign oil, and states aren’t doing enough to change that, according to a study by an environmental group ranking states on an “oil vulnerability” scale.

The annual index compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council measures the effect of oil and gas price increases on people’s incomes. The survey also ranks the states that are doing the most to promote alternative energy sources.

The council’s “Fighting Oil Addiction: Ranking States Oil Vulnerability and Solutions For Change” survey finds, for the third year in a row, that Mississippi tops the list as the most vulnerable state when it comes to a spike in gas prices. The study ranks states based on a simple income-to-gas-price ratio — how much a family makes compared with what they’re spending on fuel every year.

“This is very relevant right now. We’ve seen, in spite of the economy being down, prices rebounding because of the summer driving season,” according to Deron Lovaas, the council’s transportation policy director.

CNN