Local View: Gas Pain at the Pump
by Todd Sneller (Journal Star) The petroleum mandate forced on U.S. motorists prevents consumers from choosing less costly fuel options at the pump. Artificial impediments imposed on the fuel market restrict the use of less expensive, cleaner burning options like ethanol.
A single refinery disruption in California is cited by oil industry analysts as the cause for our pain at the pump this week. Retail gasoline prices spiked nearly twenty cents per gallon almost overnight in many markets including Nebraska. The impact of this increase again occurs at a time when few motorists can tolerate this economic burden. This scenario repeats itself on a predicable basis despite options that would mitigate economic and environmental damage caused by oil refinery disruptions.
Ethanol fuels are consistently the low cost option for many consumers. Ethanol fuel blends saved Nebraska motorists more than $50 million last year. That money stayed in the Nebraska economy and generated many economic benefits for consumers.
…The international oil cartel and their aligned policymakers in Congress continue to prevent these consumer choices through legislative and regulatory roadblocks. These tactics cost consumers billions of dollars in increased fuel prices each year.
… Federal policy also encourages investment in new technologies that will diversify the domestic fuel portfolio while creating high quality jobs in many sectors.
The oil cartel and several “Big Food” companies oppose this diversification. READ MORE
