It may be as simple as this...the government is broke. Too many irons in too many fires. Disasters, wars, etc., etc.
Taxes on fuels are a big source of easy money...lots of it! Just pass a new tax law... and sit back. They'll pay. As they'll pass along the price increase. The old "trickle down" theory at work.
Then there is the cost of clean air. Nothing is free! We're all playing a deadly game with China & India.
Too simple? Hmmm....
