Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Energy

How to Ease Pain at the Pump Without Deepening Oil Dependence

12:18 PM EDT on July 23, 2008

As the drumbeat for domestic drilling grows louder, can the Democratic leadership come up with a better alternative than tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? Over at the Huffington Post, Shelley Poticha and Geoff Anderson of Transportation for America propose a few ideas that will actually pay dividends. Pols who are serious about reducing the impact of high gas prices should listen up:

We have tokeep pace with demands for public transportation, and give this countrya reason to be proud of its high-speed trains, light-rail lines, andboth rapid and conventional bus transportation options.

We need to make more of our streets safe and convenient for walkingand biking to work, school, shops and public transportation stops. Wehave to create incentives for developers to invest in our close-insuburbs and urban centers, to meet the huge demand for affordable homesin convenient locations. Americans are not dumb: given the real choice,we would much rather invest in well-located real estate than ingasoline.

We are tired of feeling like victims -- whether of oil companies, poorplanning, or a lack of vision. Americans are ready for innovativechange, if only our leaders will follow the people's charge.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Thursday’s Headlines See Daylight

Daylighting, or removing parking near intersections, is an often overlooked way to improve pedestrian safety.

November 30, 2023

Why So Many U.S. Drivers Think Speeding Is Perfectly Safe

Do Americans hit lethal speeds because they're in a rush, or because they have no idea that they're increasing their chances of death with every tick of the odometer?

November 30, 2023

Highway Boondoggles 2023: Habitat Devastation in the Hoosier State

Plans for a new 54-mile highway in southern Indiana threaten thousands of acres of forests, farmland and wildlife habitat. So why is Indiana forging ahead anyway?

November 30, 2023

Bikeway Lessons From Medford, Oregon

Streetsblog L.A. Editor Joe Linton shares worthwhile bike, bus, and walk features spotted during a recent trip to Medford, Oregon

November 29, 2023

Wednesday’s Headlines Are Too Fast, Too Furious

When it comes to speeding, why don't regulators and automakers save drivers from themselves?

November 29, 2023
See all posts