Oil Shockwave Set to Hit North Dakotans
Friday, November 2, 2007
Fargo, ND – The price of oil seems to set new records every day -- as of Thursday, it's over $96 a barrel -- and oil companies' profits are setting records as well. As many North Dakotans struggle to pay their bills, advocates say it's time for Congress to force U.S. automakers to improve fuel efficiency standards as part of new energy policy legislation. Chad Oban, with the North Dakota office of the National Environmental Trust, says the typical two-car family could save about $700 dollars a year on gasoline costs with improved fuel efficiency.
"North Dakota families will then be spending that money here in their local economies,and obviously,that' good for the state."
Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency, agrees. She says the current proposal, to improve fuel efficiency to 35 miles a gallon by the year 2020, would have the added benefit of helping a struggling American auto industry.
"It's actually going to set Detroit on a course to becoming more competitive globally with foreign manufacturers that are achieving higher fuel efficiency."
The skyrocketing oil prices already are beginning to trickle down to the pump. Gas prices in North Dakota have increased nearly 71 cents a gallon since this time last year, with the average now at $2.96 a gallon.
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