Nov 14th, 2008
President-Elect Obama: Don’t let Drop in Gasoline Prices Thwart Alternative Energy Push
Dear President-Elect Obama:
The price of unleaded gasoline has finally dropped below $2.00 per gallon here in Utah, a pleasant fact that dramatically hit home this morning when I filled the tank on my 1990 Mazda Miata for less than $20.00. Hooray!
Credit: New York Times, David Maxwell photographer
It’s clear that challenges in the global economy have contributed to this price drop at the pump, with multiple news sources say gas prices are at their lowest levels since January 2007. (For example, see this article in the San Antonio Business Journal.)
As happy as I am that prices have retreated as much as they have recently, I do have one nagging concern: Will lowered gas prices provide a disincentive for efforts to develop/create alternative energy options, particularly in the automotive/transportation industries? I certainly hope not.
So . . . President-Elect Obama (and the Democrat-controlled Congress) I urge you – do NOT let this be the case.
I’m keenly aware that we’re in the midst of an “economic slowdown” (née recession). I get that.
Nevertheless, please make sure that we do everything that we can as a country to reduce our dependence on both foreign oil and oil period.
Just because costs have dropped so much – both at the pump and by the barrel – do not let such falling gasoline prices thwart efforts to pursue and encourage alternative energy options (both here and abroad). Thank you.
Sincerely,
David (“Poppa P”) Politis