By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-968440.mp3
Albany, NY – As New Yorkers brace themselves for skyrocketing gas prices, a new report by Environment New York finds that more fuel-efficient cars would save every New York family an average of $400 at the gas pump this summer alone. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
While politicians in New York are among the first to talk about easing gasoline taxes, observers say, even with prices around $4 a gallon, the chances of actually seeing that kind of relief at the pump are remote. The Obama administration quickly backpedaled away from a plan to tax motorists by tracking each mile they drive, opting instead to push for establishment of new fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards for cars and light trucks.
Eric Whalen is Field Organizer for the non-profit advocacy group Environment New York, which is calling on President Obama to move ahead on a plan to impose a 60-mile-per-gallon standard for cars.
Whalen points out that motorists statewide are expected to spend more than $6.2 billion at the gas pump this summer.
The majority of Americans say high gas prices have had a significant impact on their daily lives and that they are driving less than they were a year ago, according to a recent Rasmussen poll.
The survey found that 43% of American adults say the rising cost of gasoline has had a "big impact on their personal lifestyle." 41% of adults say they are not driving as much as they did a year ago and 72% of Adults say it's at least somewhat likely that the price of gas will rise above $5 a gallon by July 1.
That brings us back to 2007, when local gas station owner Christian King was featured at press conferences touting the benefits of "flex fuel" - also known as E85 - a blend of 85 percent ethanol and gasoline -- as an affordable way to help the nation grow itself toward energy independence with a cleaner-burning fuel. King still sells it: he tells WAMC sales have perked up in the last few months as E85 makes a "comeback."
Nationwide, drivers are estimated to spend 8.7% of their median income in 2011 on gas, according to the Oil Price Information Service. In 2008, they spent just over 38-hundred dollars, or 7.7% of their median income to fill up their vehicles.