If you put U.S. retail at-the-pump gas prices against the rate of inflation over the last twenty-five years, you will find that the current prices are economically low prices dictated by political arrangement and not economics.
Had we not been lulled by politically fixed cheap prices then the market place would have already created more conservation, exploration and improved the technologies of using oil as well as improved the economics of alternatives to oil. Markets work, government fiats cause market disruptions which create either unsustainable shortages or unsustainable subsidized surpluses; either of which diminish the profitable return on capital and result in business models that cannot be sustained without your taxes.
"Rate of inflation over the last twenty five years"
Twenty five years ago I was 11 years old and no where near to caring what gas prices were then.
WOW, I stil don't care what gas prices were then. I care what I am paying now. And now is just too much.