The Energy Information Administration expects retail diesel to average $4.40 a gallon, up 33 cents or 8.2% from its previous forecast of $4.07, according to an Axios report.
CEO of Consumer Energy Alliance, David Holt, points to a lack of refineries- compared to the 1980’s the United States had 350- now reduced to 120 and California just got rid of 2. “If you close 2 refineries there’s going to be a ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy. The tighter the refinery margins and capacity, then the more diesel costs. He said.
Holt says the White House is aware and has begun discussions to relax regulation and expand infrastructure. He says energy should be a non-partisan issue as environmental goals are met. “Largely you had folks on the left that were saying you must restrict gasoline and diesel to meet our environmental goals and that’s simply not true. We’ve shown as an energy industry we can meet our environmental goals. Those that are on fixed incomes or are below the poverty line are the ones that are actually hurt the most.” He said.
Holt says the candidate Americans vote for should have a sensible energy policy and should know how important affordable and reliable energy is to every man woman and child in this country.