Energy News

As the new home of NCPIRG's environmental work, Environment North Carolina can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release. 

RALEIGH–In the wake of this year's high gasoline prices, North Carolina consumers will pay $275 million more than they should at the gas pump in 2006 because of shortsighted automobile fuel economy policies, according to a report released today by the NCPIRG education fund.

This holiday season, consumers in North Carolina are paying more to heat their homes and fill up their gas tanks for road trips. NCPIRG Education Fund’s report, "America Idles: How President Bush’s Inaction Will Cost Americans Billions at the Pump in 2006," details how much money and oil consumers would save in 2006 had the Bush administration increased gasoline mileage for cars and trucks four years ago.

“So far, Congress and the Bush administration have focused on filling the stockings of Big Oil,” said Breanna Peterson, the Field Organizer with NCPIRG. “This holiday season, American consumers deserve the gift of better gas mileage,” she continued.

According to the report, had President Bush increased the fuel economy of cars and light trucks to 40 mpg in 2001, consumers and the U.S. economy would now be reaping the benefits. Although the policy would still be phasing in, more efficient cars would already be entering the market.

The report shows that in 2006 alone:

• The U.S. would consume 500,000 barrels of oil less per day. This is more than three-fourths of the current imports from Iraq. North Carolina would save 15,758 barrels per day next year.

• Consumers would save nearly $9 billion at the gas pump, or about $500 per new vehicle. North Carolina’s consumers would save $275,339,614 next year.

• The U.S. would reduce its global warming pollution by 34.2 million tons of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent of taking about 6 million average vehicles off the road. North Carolina would reduce its carbon dioxide pollution by the equivalent of 188,023 vehicles next year.

“Unfortunately, America’s consumers, environment, and national security will not be enjoying these gifts next year,” said Peterson. “The Bush administration and Congress have failed to take meaningful action to make cars and SUVs go father on a gallon of gasoline.”

In August 2005, the president signed into law an energy bill that gives new tax breaks to the oil and gas industry while doing nothing to make cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline. In the same month, the Bush administration proposed changes to federal fuel economy standards that could actually encourage manufacturers to make bigger and less fuel efficient SUVs and trucks.

Oil industry allies in Congress also continue to push for drilling in the Arctic Refuge and in protected coastal areas. The Bush administration’s own Energy Information Administration has determined that drilling in the Arctic Refuge would only reduce gasoline prices by a penny a gallon 20 years from now.

“It’s time for our leaders to make a New Year’s resolution to break America’s oil habit and raise miles per gallon standards so North Carolinians can drive twice as far before filling up,” stated Peterson. Peterson specifically called on Representatives Brad Miller and David Price to support the bill sponsored by Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT) to raise gas mileage standards to 40 miles per gallon over the next 10 years.