Motorists gas up in Monroeville for $2.38 per gallon

To answer the question of how to handle motorists who are itching to gas up at less than half the going rate:

“It’s like a well-oiled machine.”

Certainly, Ashley Klingensmith, state director for Americans for Prosperity, couldn’t have said it better.

But seriously, the process of offering regular unleaded for $2.38 per gallon got off to a smooth start on the morning of July 4 at the Sunoco station at 1855 Haymaker Road in Monroeville.

“We’ve done, nationwide, dozens of these events now,” Klingensmith said. “And so I think these guys have it down to a science.”

During what it calls the True Cost of Washington Tour, her nonprofit, grassroots organization is underwriting the difference between the cost of gasoline Jan. 19, 2021, the day before President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and today’s going rate. Prior to the savings bonanza in Monroeville, the first such Pennsylvania event took place June 22 in Lower Burrell.

“We basically try to remove barriers that keep people from living the American dream, through influencing government policy in Washington and Harrisburg,” Mary Beth Cirucci, the organization’s coalitions director for Pennsylvania, said.

Americans for Prosperity announced the location for the July 4 event a day ahead of time.

“Cars started to line up on the road about 8:30, quarter to nine,” said Cirucci, who lives in Monroeville. “We preprinted little tickets, and we numbered the cars. So that helps us to know if somebody’s cutting or they’ve been waiting. And it helps us to cut it off so people don’t wait and not get gas.”

According to Klingensmith, the impetus for the tour is “connecting folks with the fact that because of the policies of this administration, folks are paying more and getting less, both at the gas pumps, at the grocery stores and everywhere between.”

“We’re saying, ‘Hey, we can unleash energy abundance,’ ” the Greensburg resident said. “We can certainly ignite innovation by cutting some red tape, and then certainly end the wasteful Washington spending by stopping the spending spree that’s been going on the past couple of years.”

Americans for Prosperity was founded in 2004, during the administration of George W. Bush, and since then has “brought together successful nonpartisan coalitions” to work toward achieving its goals, according to Emily Seidel, president and chief executive officer.

For more information, visit americansforprosperity.org.

Related:

• Tickets to get $2.38-per-gallon gas in Lower Burrell were gone in 45 minutes