Study: Gasoline consumption rises in the Northwest despite stalled economy

Filed under: Etc., Green Daily

Gasoline consumption across the U.S. has steadily declined during the last decade. Analysts have chalked up the drop in gas usage over the last ten years to the rise in more efficient technologies, better public transportation, the stalled economy and steadily increasing gas prices.

While most of the U.S has stayed consistent with the trend of reduced consumption, the Sightline Institute reports that the Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington have bucked the trend. These three states have shown an increase in personal gas consumption, leaving analysts perplexed. Idaho led the way with a four percent per capita increase in gas consumption in 2009. Oregon’s consumption increased just under one percent, and Washington was not far behind.

Though the increases appear minor, all three states had shown steady decline for more than a decade and any jolt in gas consumption is unexpected. In addition, diesel fuel consumption in these Northwest states dropped off last year, further confusing those who are trying to make sense of the rising gasoline consumption figures. The Sightline Institute suspects a recent drop in gasoline prices in the Northwest likely contributed to increased consumption. To counter the increased consumption, the institute recommends imposing pollution fees or enforcing a strict energy and climate policy. But we feel that if low gas prices are to blame, then that often-argued-about gas tax might just be the perfect solution. Click here to view the entire report (PDF) and don’t forget to follow the jump for more info.

[Source: Sightline Institute | Image: FutureAtlas - C.C License 2.0]

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Study: Gasoline consumption rises in the Northwest despite stalled economy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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