Fuel Prices Are Headed Up, Up, Up

Californians and other U.S. motorists are already “Girding Against Gas Pains” (Jan. 18) in response to motor fuel price increases mandated by the 1990 Clean Air Act, much less the added fuel taxes being promoted by various federal budget, energy and environmental policy “wonks.”

This past fall, the Clean Air Act required oxygenates to be added to gasoline for control of carbon monoxide emissions in nearly 40 metropolitan areas across the United States, and throughout California by the state Air Resources Board. Prices at the gas pump have increased by 3 to 5 cents per gallon in most areas, but jumped by 14 cents per gallon in Alaska. Alaska Gov. Walter J. Hickel promptly rescinded the program there.

Also, consumers are complaining about poorer fuel economy from oxygenated gasoline. Motorists must pay the costs for this increased fuel consumption.

Also required by the Clean Air Act in October, 1993, highway diesel fuel users throughout the country must begin paying for low-sulfur diesel at an estimated additional 5 cents per gallon. At that same time, all California diesel users will likely pay an added 11 to 15 cents per gallon for low-aromatics diesel mandated by the Air Resources Board.

Beginning in 1995 for the nine most severely smog-afflicted areas of the country, including nearly all of Southern California, “reformulated gasoline” will be required, adding an estimated 5 to 8 cents per gallon. The following year, the Air Resources Board will require an even more severely reformulated gasoline throughout California, with an estimated cost increase of 15 to 25 cents per gallon.

None of these increases have been adjusted for inflation, so the consumer may end up paying even more.

When considering adding even more to fuel prices by additional taxes, “fuel tax wonks” need to recall the severe economic hardships inflicted on Americans when fuel prices were jerked upward due to the oil shocks of the 1970s and early ‘80s. They also need to be aware that these fuel cost increases are self-inflicted and do not harm our trade competitors at all.

NEIL A. MOYER

Ventura