Spills in Gulf and Utah turn focus to oil alternatives

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Recent oil spills are sparking renewed calls to wean America off its addiction to oil in favor of alternatives. Some endorse an increase in the gas tax, but others are wary.

After the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the Chevron spill into Salt Lake City's Red Butte Creek, there's a resurgent call to get serious about consumption of oil.

One of the groups supporting the charge is Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

We need disincentives to use oil. We need incentives to use alternatives.

–Dr. Brian Moench

Dr. Brian Moench, a member of that group, says, "We need disincentives to use oil. We need incentives to use alternatives."

Moench warns the health, environmental and economic costs of fossil fuel consumption are becoming increasingly high.

He calls for a "transportation transformation" -- a 10-cent hike in the gas tax and diversion of spending from roads to transit.

"So that our dependency on oil can be mitigated and that when oil becomes so expensive that it's very difficult for people to drive their cars, they will have, realistically, other options," Moench says.

But Utah's political establishment, including the candidates for governor, seems lukewarm on the idea, at best.

Beaches across the Gulf Coast are covered with oil from the massive BP spill

"I don't think Utahns right now are ready for a gas tax increase since we have the highest gas prices in the continental United States," says Democratic candidate Peter Corroon. "That's not something I think we should be looking at right now. We certainly should be looking at ways where we can get people out of their cars and into mass transit and focusing on that right now."

Gov. Gary Herbert says the tax increase is worth some consideration, but it's not a priority right now.

"A gasoline tax is certainly something that will be discussed as we go forward," he says. "It's something that I think has some merit at least for discussion. I'm not proposing it, don't get me wrong. I'm not proposing any kind of tax increase. First and foremost I've got to be concerned about the economy and increasing costs on energy has a detrimental effect on growing the economy."

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker says a gas tax hike would discourage driving and help address Utah's smog problem.

"There's no question, people respond to the price of gas," he says.

Most Americans see the Gulf spill as a major environmental disaster. The question is, will it be an oil consumption game changer as well?

A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found public support for expanding offshore drilling and support for oil and gas drilling in general is lower than it was a year ago.

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E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com