Houston, TX – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, released a new analysis detailing how record-high energy prices have led to significant increases in operating and transportation expenses for America’s farmers, leading to increased food costs for families and restaurants.
“Farmers are being forced to pay billions more for fuel as the result of record-high energy prices – costs which then become part of the overall inflationary pressure being felt by families and businesses everywhere, from the grocery store to the shopping mall,” CEA President David Holt said.
“Prices will only continue to increase if the current energy policies keep favoring regulatory overreach and higher-emitting foreign fuel over America’s abundant energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico. Simple moves by the Administration like opening up the Gulf of Mexico would have a meaningful and quick impact on gasoline prices.”
“This CEA analysis demonstrates how recent ill-conceived energy policies have saddled our farmers with billions in unnecessary costs to produce, process, store and transport the food we need, and left many less fortunate Americans wondering whether they will be able to afford to feed their families,” Holt said.
Highlights from the analysis include:
- As a result of rising diesel prices, farmers now pay more than $9.6 billion – a 96% increase over 2021 – for this fuel alone.
- Natural gas is an important feedstock to produce fertilizers and some pesticides. Fertilizer prices account for roughly one-third of farming operating costs.
- With the price of diesel reaching $5.62 per gallon on May 11, 2022, the average price to fill up a semi truck now costs truck drivers $731 more than a year ago.
“Our industries, families, businesses and seniors on fixed incomes cannot withstand these unconscionable price shocks. With gasoline prices now above $4 per gallon for over 70 straight days, and seemingly setting a new all-time record on daily basis, there is absolutely no justifiable reason for the Administration to continue down this path,” Holt said.
“It is time for the Administration to make a course correction by opening the Gulf to new federal oil and gas leasing, approving paused permits and prioritizing American energy resources over countries like Iran and Venezuela to meet our demand and lower prices.”
Click here to view the analysis.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org
