Bad Policy Fuels High Prices

As millions of Americans hop in their cars for vacation, the average price for a gallon of gas has spiked to $2.60 — and many people are paying more than $3.00 per gallon to fill their tank. While most everyone is feeling the pinch, “for many lower-income people — often those who work in service jobs or are looking for work — each new bump up in price means altering daily routines, spending less on clothes and food, and keeping the kids at home instead of driving them to the pool or friends’ houses.” A big part of the problem is that, despite huge advances in technology, “America’s cars and trucks are significantly less efficient, on average, than they were in the late 1980’s,” driving up demand, and the price, for fuel. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has staunchly resisted efforts to help solve the problem by improving fuel efficiency standards. Now, all Americans are paying the price.

Progress Report