Table of Contents

Foreword 13

Introduction 16

Chapter 1 How Does Oil and Gasoline Dependence Affect the US and the World?

Chapter Preface 21

Gasoline Usage by the Transportation Sector Is a Major Driver of Global Warming Deboran Gordon 25

Oil Dependence Makes US Drivers Vulnerable to Rising Gas Prices Deron Lovaas Justin Horner 28

The US Dependence on Foreign Oil Funds America's Enemies Jonathan Powers 35

High Oil Prices Threaten the World Economy The Economist 42

The World Energy Threat Has Only Worsened in 2011 Michael T. Klare 46

Chapter 2 Are Rising Gasoline Prices a Serious Problem?

Chapter Overview Toni Johnson 57

Yes: Rising Gasoline Prices Are a Serious Problem: Increases in Gas Prices Act as a Drag on the Economy Dante Chinni 64

Rising Gas Prices Transfer Wealth from Poorer Americans to the Rich Dan Froomkin 68

High Gas Prices Are Causing Many Americans Financial Hardship Lydia Saad 74

No: Rising Gasoline Prices Are Not a Serious Problem: Compared with Other Industrialized Countries, US Gas is Cheap Sarah Terry-Cobo 77

High Gas Prices Might Shock the Nation into Cutting Its Dependence on Oil Myles Spicer 81

There Are Many Benefits to Higher Gas Prices KNS Financial 86

Chapter 3 Is Public Transportation an Answer to Rising Gasoline Prices?

Chapter Preface 90

Yes: Public Transportation is an Answer to Rising Gasoline Prices: Rising Gas Prices in 2011 Caused Drivers to Turn to Public Transportation Sean Barry 94

Record Mass Transit Ridership Could Result If Gas Prices Rise Higher PR Newswire 97

The United States Must Invest in Public Transportation: Christian Science Monitor 100

Rejecting High-Speed Rail Systems Is a Mistake Given Rising Gas Prices Rob Kerth 103

No: Public Transportation is Not an Answer to Rising Gasoline Prices: Increases in Public Transportation Use Are Shortlived Owen McShane 106

Recession Hits Transit Budgets Despite Rising Need Bob Salsberg 111

Cuts in Federal Public Transportation Funding Could Further Limit Mass Transit Keith Laing 117

High-Speed Rail is Too Expensive Joel Kotkin 120

Chapter 4 What Are the Keys to Oil and Gasoline Independence?

Chapter Preface 126

The United States Must Increase Domestic Oil Production Steve Huntley 130

Oil Independence Is Impossible So Energy Independence Must Be the Goal Swellsman 133

The United States Must Transition to Low-Carbon Fuels David Burwell 139

The United States Must Promote Electric Vehicles to Achieve Freedom from Oil Sarah Hodgdon 143

Natural Gas-Powered Vehicles Should Be the First Step Toward Energy Independence David Fessler 147

The United States Must Increase Fuel Efficiency Standards Jonathan Murray 152

The Free Market, Rather than Government, Should Govern Energy Choices Conn Carroll 155

Organizations to Contact 158

Bibliography 164

Index 171