Gas Prices Steadily Rising

Over 20,000 students commute to UB every day, and according to American Automobile Association, gas prices in Buffalo peaked Wednesday at $1.85. In most cases, prices at this level cannot be accommodated by the average cash-strapped student's budget. However, instead of complaining about the steep cost of gasoline, students should instead focus their attention on their own habits and how they may be affecting the high prices.

Experts attribute rising prices to a growing demand for gas, low supply and high crude oil prices. As the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries agreed to reduce production of crude oil and the summer travel season heats up, the government's Energy Information Administration predicts that gas prices will average 20 cents more than last summer. These prices are historically high, but have yet to top the inflation-adjusted high of 1981, at $2.99 a gallon. We cannot let this year's - and future years' - prices reach such levels.

While OPEC wields considerable control over the prices, Americans often forget that price is first determined by demand - and that is something within our control. With sport-utility vehicle sales in 2002 holding strong at over 3 million units purchased, our average fuel economy hit its lowest point since the last gas crisis.

Increasing gas mileage standards for these huge vehicles should be an important priority. Work must also be done to include some popular SUV models in fuel efficiency standards.

Cars are currently held to a standard of 27.5 average miles per gallon, while SUVs linger around 20.7. Though the Bush administration last year imposed a paltry increase - 1.5 mile per gallon increase on light trucks by 2007 - this is not nearly enough to significantly decrease the drain these vanity vehicles place on domestic oil supply. Imposing the same standard on light trucks that is expected of cars would cut oil imports by 10 percent and save 1 million barrels of oil a day.

Mounting gas prices have their silver lining, however. Media attention and public interest may convince citizens and the government to work towards alternative options to our current gas-guzzling mentality. Hybrid cars, which combine the power of electric and gas motors, can get over 60 miles per gallon. Further incentives to buy hybrid cars include a federal tax deduction of $2,000.

Public transportation is another avenue that should be fully utilized. Through these methods of conservation, we can reduce OPEC's chokehold on gas prices and improve the quality of life for all Americans.