The highest gas prices since the summer of 2008 have the two political parties taking separate approaches toward the oil industry - each showing how effective they are at killing each other's plans.
The Times notes last week's political squabbles over oil and gas prices, and the strategies being put forward by both parties:
"Republicans block a worthy Democratic attempt to strip the five biggest oil companies of $2 billion in tax breaks they do not need. Democrats then crush an outrageous Republican effort to expedite lease sales in protected coastal waters while undermining safety reforms adopted after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
The Times notes that increasing drilling permits now won't have any direct effect on increasing the oil supply, much less the price of the pump, and that eliminating oil subsidies does not make for an oil strategy.
The Obama administration is staying the course:
"Mr. Obama has made the right arguments in the past - that the way to achieve true energy security and protect the environment is with greater automobile efficiency, alternative fuels and mass transit."
Meanwhile, gas prices are decreasing on their own. On May 20, the nation's average gas price had dropped almost a dime from their high of just below $4 gallon.
Thanks to Kenyon Karl
Read the full story: Gas Prices and Political Pandering
High Gas Costs Making a Small Dent in Carbon Emissions
Americans are driving slightly less due to high prices at the pump, but this reduction in driving is only making a small impact on overall U.S. carbon emissions.
Op-Ed: Where GOP Is Strong, Cities Receive Less
When it comes to federal appropriations, urban areas in states dominated by rural Republicans are at a distinct disadvantage. In search of lobbying power, metros in affected states are banding together.
SUVs And Light Trucks Make Comeback
Cheap gas, great deals, and winter weather resulted in SUV and light trucks resuming their dominance in vehicle sales in December, climbing to 51% of all sales, as Prius sales dipped 48% in November.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history
The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.
Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea
If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.
Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold
At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello