Youngstown-area gas station offering cheap fuel to draw awareness to US energy policy
A conservative political advocacy group hosting a “takeover” of a Lowellville gas station is promising gas at $2.38 per gallon on Wednesday to bring attention to “the spiraling costs of energy and commodities.”
Americans for Prosperity Ohio has planned a takeover of Morgan Oil, 6969 Center Road, Lowellville, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 6. There, the price of fuel will be lowered to $2.38 per gallon — the average price of unleaded gasoline in January 2021, according to a news release.
The average price for regular gasoline in the Youngstown-Warren metropolitan area was $4.67 on Monday, July 4, according to AAA. It topped $5 on June 9.
The release does not indicate how long the reduced price will last. “Gasoline discounts are given on a first-come, first-served basis,” it reads.
The event is intended “to highlight the policies contributing to skyrocketing prices that are squeezing working class families across the Buckeye State and nationwide,” reads the news release.
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, is expected to attend the event.
A second event set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Royal Oaks, 924 Oak St., Youngstown, will offer 10 free wings to the first 50 attendees.
How gas prices add up
As reported by The Sum, a McClatchy News project that breaks down complex financial and economic issues, rising gas prices are largely attributed to high demand, slow production and global concerns:
Americans for Prosperity
Donovan O’Neil, director of Americans for Prosperity Ohio, is expected to attend both events, which are part of the group’s “True Cost of Washington” nine-state tour.
“Thanks to skyrocketing inflation, Americans across the country can expect to spend an extra $5,200 to maintain the same standard of living as last year, and an extra $1,433 for gasoline,” reads the release.
According to a recent poll conducted by a Republican polling firm and solicited by Americans for Prosperity, three-quarters of registered voters surveyed said rising consumer costs caused by inflation have changed their spending habits in the last year, and most blamed government policies and regulations or President Joe Biden.
Americans for Prosperity was founded by conservative/libertarian billionaire David Koch, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center. It was “a major force behind the tea party movement,” and advocates for lower taxes and limited government spending and regulation.
“Americans for Prosperity engages in broad-based grassroots outreach to advocate for long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems that prevent people from realizing their incredible potential — unsustainable government spending and debt, a broken immigration system, a rigged economy, and a host of other issues you can explore,” reads the group’s website.
This story was originally published July 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.