Under $3 a Gallon: Proof That Real Energy Policy Works

For Maryland drivers, the numbers on the gas pump are finally moving in the right direction. According to AAA data, the average price of regular gasoline in Maryland has dropped below $3 per gallon, marking a clear year-over-year decline. For a state that often runs higher than the national average due to taxes, refining constraints, and proximity to dense urban markets, that is no small achievement.¹

This didn’t happen by accident. And it certainly didn’t happen because of wishful thinking, green slogans, or press releases masquerading as energy policy. It happened because supply matters, and when America treats energy as a strategic asset instead of a political liability, consumers win.

For years, Maryland families have been squeezed at the pump. High fuel costs ripple through every part of the economy: commuting, groceries, shipping, utilities, and even local government services. When gas prices spike, it’s not the wealthy who feel it first   it’s working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses operating on thin margins.

That’s why the current drop below $3 per gallon is more than just a feel-good headline. It’s a real-world indicator that national energy policy is once again grounded in economic reality.

At the heart of this improvement is increased domestic energy production. When the United States produces more oil and natural gas at home, global supply pressures ease. Crude oil prices stabilize. Refiners operate with more certainty. And ultimately, consumers see relief at the pump. AAA has repeatedly pointed out that lower crude oil prices are a major driver behind falling gasoline prices nationwide.²

This is basic economics, the kind that policymakers used to understand instinctively. When supply increases, and markets are allowed to function, prices come down. When supply is artificially constrained through excessive regulation, moratoria, or ideological hostility toward fossil fuels, prices rise. Maryland drivers have lived through both scenarios, and the difference is now visible on every street corner with a gas station sign.

Equally important is regulatory clarity. Energy producers don’t invest billions of dollars in infrastructure if the rules of the game change every election cycle, predictability matters. A stable national framework encourages long-term investment, expanded drilling, and more efficient refining capacity. That stability ultimately protects consumers from wild price swings driven by panic or uncertainty.

There’s also a geopolitical dimension that can’t be ignored. For decades, America’s energy vulnerability left us exposed to decisions made by foreign governments and cartels. When OPEC sneezed, American drivers caught a cold. But a stronger domestic energy posture gives the U.S. leverage. It reduces dependence on hostile or unstable regions and cushions the impact of international disruptions. That resilience is now showing up in lower, steadier prices, even as global tensions persist.

Critics will argue that gas prices fluctuate seasonally, and they’re right to a point. But year-over-year declines tell a different story. Seasonal demand doesn’t explain why Marylanders are paying less today than they were last year. Policy does.

This matters especially in a state like Maryland, where residents already face some of the highest living costs in the country. Lower gas prices mean more money left over for groceries, rent, childcare, and savings. They suggest small businesses can transport goods more affordably. They mean commuters aren’t punished simply for going to work.

It’s also a reminder that energy policy doesn’t have to be radical to be effective. It just has to be serious. Authentic energy leadership recognizes that renewables, innovation, and environmental stewardship must coexist with reliable baseload power and domestic production   does not replace it overnight through mandates and fantasies.

Gas under $3 per gallon isn’t a miracle. It’s a signal. A signal that when America produces energy, respects markets, and prioritizes affordability alongside sustainability, everyday people benefit.

Marylanders are feeling that benefit right now, every time they pull up to the pump.

Endnotes

1. AAA, Maryland Gas Prices, showing average regular gasoline prices below $3.00 per gallon, year-over-year comparison, accessed December 2025, https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=MD
2. AAA Newsroom, analysis of national gasoline price trends and the relationship between crude oil prices and pump prices, 2025.

Dwight Patel is 1^st Vice Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party and Executive Director for the Direct Line Live podcast.

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Dwight Patel

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