Why We Pay More
for Fuel
Than We Should.
We produce energy here — but we don’t control the system that delivers affordable fuel back to our communities. That’s a system design problem. And it’s fixable.
The Uintah Basin is one of Utah’s key energy-producing regions. But what we produce is crude oil — not finished fuel. To become usable gasoline or diesel, that oil must be transported out of the Basin, refined (mostly along the Wasatch Front or out of state), and transported back.
We export raw energy and import finished fuel. Every step in that process adds cost.
Fuel doesn’t move easily in District 20. Long distances between supply points, canyon choke points and mountain passes, harsh winter conditions, and heavy reliance on trucking all compound the cost. Every gallon you buy includes transportation time, risk and safety considerations, and equipment and delivery costs.
Distance and terrain are built into the price.
We rely heavily on a limited number of refineries. When refineries are at capacity, prices rise. Maintenance or disruptions cause spikes. There is limited local flexibility. Even in an energy-rich region, refining bottlenecks drive prices.
Oil is priced on a global market. Local production does not fully control local prices. National and global demand affect what we pay. Regional costs stack on top of global pricing. We feel global pressure — plus local constraints.
Fuel prices in our district are not just about energy. They’re about infrastructure. How we move resources, where we process them, how efficiently we distribute them, and how safely we move fuel through our communities — all of these determine what families pay at the pump.
This isn’t abstract — it shows up in everyday life:
- Higher fuel costs for families commuting long distances
- Increased costs for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses
- More heavy truck traffic through canyon corridors
- Greater risk on roads not designed for that level of hazardous transport
When systems are disconnected, costs go up and risks increase. When systems are designed together, communities are safer and more affordable to live in.
We can’t control global oil markets — but we can fix our system:
- Improve freight infrastructure to reduce cost per gallon
- Expand rail options to reduce highway congestion and risk
- Support regional refining and storage capacity
- Reduce unnecessary transport distances
- Strengthen supply chain reliability in rural communities
We have a system design problem.
Fixing that system is how we lower costs, improve safety, and plan responsibly for the future. Infrastructure decisions directly affect the price you pay at the pump — and the safety of the roads you drive to get there.
See How Energy, Transportation,
and Infrastructure Connect.
Every system in District 20 is connected. The plan treats them that way.