Florida, keep the pedal down on energy production

Remember when gas was $4 a gallon and everyone was looking everywhere for relief, expansions in energy infrastructure and production included?

Things have surely changed. Record low gas prices have held strong for years now, and even today’s prices, hovering at the $2.50 mark statewide and lower in many regions, make it easy for residents to shrug at such thoughts. They shouldn’t. The national average for gas will jump to $2.70 or more nationally this spring, AAA recently reported. These higher fuel costs are likely to trickle into airfare expenses. Per American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, airline “fares are too low” for oil and gas prices this high, adding that “over time you’ll see it adjust.” We need to adjust too. AAA’s forecast and Parker’s caution should serve as a red flag not to lift our foot off the record-setting pace of energy production, especially since one in seven Floridians still struggle to pay energy-related costs.

While higher gas prices are burdensome for most — and in many cases, deter out-of-staters from driving or flying to Florida for business or pleasure — they can be more challenging for lower-income families locally who already see much of their income go toward fuel and energy costs. The poorest households here can shell out as much as 50 percent of their takehome pay on transportation, energy and fuel costs, far more than the 6 percent economists advise.

These expenses often force the 3 million-plus living in poverty to choose between cutting back on gas, air-conditioning, medicine and groceries — either-or decisions no one should make.

More energy and infrastructure can help families trim these costs and relieve pressure on government programs which help them foot the bill. More energy options allow utilities, fuel companies and energy providers the options they need to provide reliable and affordable energy to all residents and the millions of tourists who visit. It wasn’t long ago when tourism agencies were providing gas cards to entice visitors and offset fuel costs.

Florida’s population has also grown more than 9.8 percent this past decade, and our 20.6 million head-count should grow to 29 million by 2040, according to Census data and the University of Florida. That’s the equivalent of 7.5 million more homes by 2035, data from the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council says. More people equals more demand and higher prices for all, especially those who can afford it least.

We must learn from our $4-for-gas ways from years past and continue pushing forward with energy development and expansion that — thanks to improved techniques, regulation and technologies — can keep our environment and shoreline clean, for all residents and the industries that lean on it, including fishing and the thousands of businesses which depend on tourism to stay afloat. Kevin Doyle is Florida Executive Director for Consumer Energy Alliance.

More people equals more demand and higher prices for all, especially those who can afford it least.