The Policies Driving Up Price of Diesel Fuel: Joe Trotter in The Washington Times
Production has been slowing due to refineries either closing or being reworked into biodiesel production as part of a politically-driven energy agenda.
Joe Trotter, the ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Director, is featured in The Washington Times explaining why diesel prices are soaring, adding to inflation and ultimately hurting consumers in the pocketbook.
The cost of a gallon of diesel fuel is soaring even as regular gas prices fall, putting new pressures on U.S. shipping and consumer prices.
The national average for diesel hit $4.54 this week, up nearly $1 from a year ago, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In California, where diesel averages a nation-high $5.44 a gallon, prices are up about 70 cents.
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“Production has been slowing due to refineries either closing or being reworked into biodiesel production as part of a politically based renewable energy agenda,” said Joe Trotter of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a network of conservative private investors and state legislators. “This hurts consumers because refineries can only turn out about half as much biodiesel compared to traditional refining.” High diesel taxes that penalize companies for relying on fossil fuels present another obstacle to equalizing gas and diesel prices, he added in an email.