About this Project

The Energy Trap is a project of the New America Foundation, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington D.C. This report contains information gathered on the website/social networking site EnergyTrap.org, as well as an economic analysis of consumer response to gas prices since 1970 and a detailed survey of 2,000 households about their auto and gasoline spending habits.

The Energy Trap has been generously funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.

The principle researcher and writer of the report is Lisa Margonelli, director of the Energy Policy Initiative at the New America Foundation.

Economic analysis was done by John A. “Skip” Laitner, Director of Economic and Social Analysis, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

The study of 2,000 households was designed by Karen L. Ehrhardt-Martinez. Ph.D, Director of the Climate, Mind, and Behavior Program at the Garrison Institute. Research assistance was provided by Sharon A. Martinez who verified vehicle efficiency data for the 4000 plus vehicles identified in the national survey of households. The data quoted in this report from that study is preliminary; stay tuned for more.

We have displayed a large dataset from the Oil Price Information Service, courtesy of Fred Rozell, and another from Manheim Consulting.

Data visualization and video work was done by the New America's Andy Hull, Nick McClellen, Troy K. Schneider and Kate Schuler.

Elizabeth Wu, manager of California Media Relations at the New America Foundation, leads outreach, social media and publicity for the project.