Pain At The Pump

As Keystone Stalls, Gas Prices Rise For 33 Straight Days

• Gas prices have risen for thirty-three straight days and are up 94 percent since President Obama took office.

• And in yet another failure of leadership, President Obama has still not approved the Keystone XL pipeline—which, estimates show, could create as many as 250,000 jobs and make North American energy independence closer than ever.

• As USA Today wrote yesterday, it’s time for President Obama to “stop the foot-dragging” and move forward with the plan.

• Americans are looking for President Obama to lead. This has real consequences for the middle class. If he’s serious about energy, he needs to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

Gas Prices Rose Tuesday For The Thirty-Third Straight Day. “U.S. consumers facing the highest gasoline pump prices ever for February may see further increases as global crude oil futures climb and breakdowns and seasonal maintenance at refineries reduce fuel supplies. Gasoline futures have surged 11 percent this year, making the fuel the top performing commodity in the Standard & Poor’s GSCI index. Prices at the pump are up 14 percent this year and have risen 33 straight days, according to AAA data.” (Barbara Powell, “Gasoline Pump Prices Soaring On Refinery Repairs, Oil Rally,” Bloomberg, 2/19/13)

Since President Obama Took Office, Gas Prices Have Risen 94 Percent. (“Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update,” Energy Information Administration, accessed 2/19/2013; “Top Picks: Consumer Price Index-Average Price Data,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 2/19/2013)

USA Today To Obama: “Stop The Foot-Dragging” And Approve The Keystone Pipeline. (Editorial, “Build Keystone Pipeline: Our View,” USA Today, 2/19/13)

• The Pipeline Would Supply 830,000 Barrels Of Oil Day—“A Key Step Toward…North American Energy Independence.” “Keystone is expected to supply 830,000 million barrels a day, a key step toward the long-sought goal of North American energy independence, which suddenly seems attainable.” (Editorial, “Build Keystone Pipeline: Our View,” USA Today, 2/19/13)

The U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Estimates That The Keystone Pipeline Will Create More Than 250,000 American Jobs In The Long Run. “The pipeline project is expected to create more than 20,000 high-paying construction and manufacturing jobs in the near term and more than 250,000 permanent jobs in the long run.” (“Key Vote Alert Letter In Support Of H.R. 1938, The “North American-Made Energy Security Act,” U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, 7/22/11)