Weekly Political Roundup–Are Gas Prices the Game Changer?
Posted April 9, 2010 at 10:58 am 
Filed in: What would be a game changer in the energy debate? A brand-new technology? Maybe, but unrealistic. A sudden discovery of new supplies of some crucial fuel? Less of a game changer, and still unrealistic. How about something more down to earth—something like gas prices?
This week, oil reached $87 a barrel. It’s been a slow climb, unlike the sharp spike of 2008, but people are beginning to notice. It’s costing more and more to fill up our gas tanks every day, and less than two months from now, the summer driving season kicks in, offering the potential for even higher prices.
All the talk about backroom deals aside, nothing motivates Washington like angry constituents. And high gas prices can make for quite a few of those.
What does it mean for the flood of competing energy and climate bills all fighting for oxygen in Washington? First, it increases the chances that something is going to happen. As we have often pointed out, energy security legislation already offers more than a few political benefits to Democrats and Republicans alike. Add in a high-price environment, and it will become more and more difficult for Congress to head home to elections without being able to point to some kind of energy accomplishment.
Second, it may increase the chances of an energy-only bill, as opposed to one combined with climate. This is not as easy a call to make, especially since the administration and many members of the majority in Congress are still strongly committed to climate legislation (White House energy and climate advisor Carol Browner said just this week “Every now and then, you’ll talk of maybe an energy-only bill. We think that would be unfortunate.”) But the argument goes something like this: energy security is a genuinely bipartisan issue. Though there are disagreements about many details—and they’re not all small details—there is widespread agreement that something must be done about the dangers posed by oil dependence. There is far less of a consensus around climate change. And if high prices create even more pressure for action, it is not hard to see Congress setting aside the partisan debate for another time in favor of a potentially impressive bipartisan accomplishment on standalone energy security legislation.
There are many, many different energy and climate proposals currently in some form of drafting or consideration in Washington. This is ultimately a good sign—as predicted, now that health care is behind us, energy is moving to a high priority, which is exactly where it should be. But with each passing week, the water gets more muddied. High prices will add some clarity and some urgency. Unfortunately, they will do so at the cost of harm to our economy and our pocketbooks. Yet another reason to act swiftly.
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