April 17, 2005
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today released an analysis of the impact of higher gasoline prices showing that the average driver in California is being hit with an increase of $275 in the annual cost of driving since last year.
“A 23 percent increase in gas prices over the last year sums up the Administration’s ‘pay more’ energy policy, not just for the average family, but for the average small business as well,” said Lee. “With this ‘Bush Gasoline Tax,’ the average family might as well just send a weekly check to Big Oil.”
Prices for regular gasoline in Oakland averaged about $2.62 per gallon, 24 percent higher than this time last year. Oakland prices mirror average prices throughout California, which are $2.63 per gallon today, an increase of 23 percent since last year. A recent report by the Department of Energy predicted that gas prices this summer will average 38 cents more this summer than last, peaking nationally at an average of $2.35 per gallon in May. If gasoline prices remain at current levels, each car will cost California families about $275 more to operate this year than they did in 2004.
Barbara Lee Releases Analysis of Local Impact of Gas Prices
Energy Bill Promotes Oil Dependency at Consumers’ Expense
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today released an analysis of the impact of higher gasoline prices showing that the average driver in California is being hit with an increase of $275 in the annual cost of driving since last year.
“A 23 percent increase in gas prices over the last year sums up the Administration’s ‘pay more’ energy policy, not just for the average family, but for the average small business as well,” said Lee. “With this ‘Bush Gasoline Tax,’ the average family might as well just send a weekly check to Big Oil.”
Prices for regular gasoline in Oakland averaged about $2.62 per gallon, 24 percent higher than this time last year. Oakland prices mirror average prices throughout California, which are $2.63 per gallon today, an increase of 23 percent since last year. A recent report by the Department of Energy predicted that gas prices this summer will average 38 cents more this summer than last, peaking nationally at an average of $2.35 per gallon in May. If gasoline prices remain at current levels, each car will cost California families about $275 more to operate this year than they did in 2004.
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SKY-HIGH GASOLINE PRICES SQUEEZING LOCAL CALIFORNIA FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES |
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Average Price in 2004 |
Current Price |
Increase |
|
$2.13 |
$2.63 |
$0.50 (23%) |
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ANNUAL VEHICLE “BUSH TAX” IN CALIFORNIA |
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Cost in 2004 |
Estimated Cost in 2005 |
Increase |
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$1171.50 |
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