By By Michele Gerlach
For the fourth time in the past three years, the House of Representatives has passed an energy bill that will provide long-term benefits for the American consumer. Without question, this bill comes at a very crucial time when America is suffering under the weight of an energy crisis.
Anyone who has taken their car to the gas pump in recent weeks has certainly noticed the dramatic increases in the price of a gallon of fuel. Nationally, gas prices are at an average of almost $2.23 per gallon. While it is little consolation for any of us, prices for gas on the Gulf Coast are among the lowest in the nation.
Of course, the cost of a gallon of gasoline is not only a problem here in the United States, but is actually affecting countries around the world. As of August, 2004 (the most current numbers available), the price of gas in several European nations is much worse than here at home. After converting the European cost and fuel measures to American standards, residents in France are paying $3.82 per gallon, Italians are paying $3.72 per gallon, and residents of Great Britain are paying $4.47 per gallon.
While comparisons are helpful in putting things in perspective, they don't do anything to alleviate the problems we are having here at home. The energy bill passed by the House (H.R. 6) on April 21 by a vote of 249-183, while not an immediate fix, certainly lays the groundwork for alleviating many of the energy problems we are facing here in the United States.
Over the past several years, I have watched as the energy crisis facing this country has continued to worsen. As a nation, we are facing an increasing number of difficulties in providing adequate energy supplies to meet our growing demand. Consider some of the facts: