Center for American Progress

The Effects of Rising Energy Costs on American Families and Employers
Article

The Effects of Rising Energy Costs on American Families and Employers

Senior Fellow Daniel J. Weiss testifies before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements.

Daniel J. Weiss, Senior Fellow and Director of Climate Strategy at the Center for American Progress, testifies before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements. Read the full testimony (CAP Action)

Chairman Lankford, Ranking Member Speier, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on “The Effects of Rising Energy Costs on American Families and Employers.”

When considering energy prices, there are three primary considerations.

  1. Fossil fuel prices do not include the costs of their side effects such as air pollution and the associated health care costs for premature deaths or asthma attacks.
  2. The Obama administration has adopted important policies to reduce energy costs for middle- and lower-income families.
  3. Expanding domestic oil production in protected lands and waters will not lower gasoline prices, but high gasoline prices yield high oil company profits for companies receiving huge tax breaks.

 

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Authors

Daniel J. Weiss

Senior Fellow