Americans in 50 metro areas will pay $83 billion more for gasoline this year at $3 per gallon, compared to the prices they paid in February 2003 — and even more if prices continue to rise as expected, says a new Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis that calculates the increased cost of gasoline per family in the 50 largest metro areas.
Gas Prices Climbing: How Much More Are You Going To Pay For Gas?
$1,774 |
The average two-car family will pay $1,774 more for gas each year at current prices, compared to pre-Iraq War prices.* |
$100 |
How much Congress thinks you deserve in light of recent gas price trends |
*Source: EWG -- Compiled from Department of Energy and Department of Transportation Data. Based on national average gas mileage (20.3 MPG), average miles driven per year (13,750), and average national gas price. |
What About For Big Industry?
For the oil, gas, and automobile industries, however...
- Handed out multi-billion dollar tax breaks, even in light of record-breaking profits
- Royalty relief (drilling on your public lands, for free!)
- Rolled back environmental protections
- Blocked improved vehicle mileage standards
- Undermined initiatives to develop alternate energy sources
- Sponsored massive expansion of oil and gas drilling at the expense of pristine Western lands
- Attempted to kill Amtrak
- Continued to fund massive highway projects while starving public transit systems