Urban sprawl, land use planning, and uneven transportation investments have displaced many low-income households and communities of color into the suburbs or exurbs and left them without adequate a…
Urban sprawl, land use planning, and uneven transportation investments have displaced many low-income households and communities of color into the suburbs or exurbs and left them without adequate access to affordable and efficient transportation. As a result, gasoline expenses can make up a significant proportion of household expenditures for these populations.
This paper outlines the factors that affect transportation energy burdens and summarizes household spending on gasoline across different income levels, self-identified racial groups, and U.S. regions. We also present an original analysis of transportation energy burdens, using data on household gasoline expenditures from HUD’s American Housing Survey.
Results from our analysis show that American households have an average gasoline burden of about 7.0% of total income, which is substantially higher than the 3.7–4.6% identified in current literature. Gasoline burdens for low-income households that earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level range from 13.8% to 14.1%
Bridging the Equity Gap for Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Utility energy efficiency programs have increased investment in low-income households, but significant gaps remain. This report examines spending and savings trends across 48 major U.S. utilities, identifies barriers to expanding low-income programs and highlights policies and program strategies that can improve energy affordability and equitable access to efficiency upgrades.
Congress Can Cut Freight Costs and Consumer Prices by Addressing Key Issues in the BUILD America 250 Act
The BUILD America 250 Act, advanced by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would eliminate or weaken many programs that help lower transportation …
Maximizing State Transportation Investments: How Redirecting Spending from Highway Expansion to Public Transit Supports Economies and Communities
Costs to deliver transportation projects have risen drastically in recent years. To avoid wasteful spending, each new dollar invested in transportation infrastructur…
ACEEE’s priorities for the surface transportation reauthorization include investments in clean freight projects that create jobs, support for underinvested communities, and strengthening local capa…
Support the Work That Makes Energy Go Further
ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to cutting energy bills, waste, and climate pollution.
