• Memorial Day forecast to be this year’s priciest holiday at the pump
• Gasoline price changes of just a few cents a gallon can significantly alter household budgets
• Gas prices are forcing those in poverty or on fixed income to make sacrifices
WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today issued “Fueling America: High Fuel Costs Put the Brakes on Family Budgets,” an analysis showing that American families and small businesses are suffering by paying more for fuel in the summer of 2024 than they should.
“Since early 2021, American consumers have seen their family budgets getting squeezed more and more. On top of the direct impact of excessively high gasoline and diesel prices, family budgets are crushed by the inflationary impact those fuel prices have on essential, everyday commodities like eggs, bread, milk, and clothing – all of which require diesel fuel to get to our markets or homes. Simply put, when gasoline and diesel costs go up, the cost of everything goes up,” said CEA President David Holt. “With the Memorial Day holiday kicking off and more families hitting the road for summer adventures, the change of just a few cents per gallon will add up quickly.”
“CEA recently heard from a retiree who decided she couldn’t afford the monthly gas bill to drive 15 miles each way to get her doctor-ordered exercise at a gym. She was forced to make the impossible choice to sacrifice her health because of the high pump prices. Millions of people in poverty or on fixed incomes are making choices and sacrifices like this every day,” he said.
CEA’s report analyzes the influence fuel prices have on America’s transportation sector, U.S. economy and ultimately, consumers. Our transportation industry – everything including airlines, land and sea freight, cruise ships, trucking and ride-share services – requires large amounts of fuel to function, and higher energy prices across the industry means increased costs for families and businesses at every turn.
“Our households, small businesses, and communities need relief. The only remedy for America’s families and small businesses is embracing commonsense energy policies that do not limit our energy choices, and which foster reliable, affordable energy and environmental progress,” Holt said.
Click here to view the analysis.
###
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’re 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