As consumers become more vulnerable to rising gas prices, Connecticut and some other states are leading the way in curbing oil dependence through smart clean-transportation policies, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
“Especially with today’s economic challenges, Americans face a growing threat from our nation’s dangerous addiction to oil,” said Deron Lovaas, transportation policy director for the Washington group that advocates for public health and the environment.
“This report shows how important it is,” Lovaas said, “for states to promote clean energy policies that will reduce our dependence on oil, while also reducing global warming pollution.”
The report, “Fighting Oil Addiction: Ranking States’ Oil Vulnerability and Solutions for Change,” details how oil prices impact consumers and ways in which smart policies can help break states’ addiction to oil.
The top 10 states that are doing the most to promote clean energy technologies and reduce their dependence on oil are: No. 1 California, followed by Massachusetts; Washington; New Mexico; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Oregon; and Florida.Â
The10 states most vulnerable to oil price increases are: No. 1 Mississippi, followed by Montana; South Carolina; Oklahoma; Louisiana; Kentucky, Texas; New Mexico; Georgia; and Arkansas.
The report focuses on two important factors that relate to the nation’s addiction to oil. First, it calculates oil vulnerability – how heavily each state’s drivers are affected by increases in oil prices. Second, it ranks states on their adoption of solutions to reduce their oil dependence – measures they are taking to lessen their vulnerability and to bolster America’s security.
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