Studies and Research

The Rising Burden of Energy Costs On Minority Families

July 2008

Since 2001, energy costs for the average U.S. household have more than doubled, and sharply escalating gasoline prices are straining the budgets of lower- and middle-class minority families. Those are the findings of a new study released by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE).

$100 Oil Crushes American Family Budgets

March 2008

Sharply escalating oil prices are straining the budgets of America’s middle class, and impoverishing lower-income families. In 2008, 60 million American households with annual incomes below $50,000 will spend 22% of their after tax income on energy, double the share of income they spent in 1997. The prices of gasoline, natural gas and home heating oil have skyrocketed, propelled by increased oil costs. Among consumer energy products, only electricity has maintained a relatively stable price trend over the past decade.