College Student Survives Summer on One Tank of Gas

A college student has pledged to use no more than one tank of gas all summer, despite a 30-mile round trip commute to her job in Portland, Oregon.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on August 06 2008

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We’re all breathing a sigh of relief that gas prices have stabilized slightly in the past few weeks - but the sky-high cost of oil has already put a serious dent in most Americans’ bank accounts. According to AAA, a standard 38-mile round trip to work for a suburban Philadelphia commuter costs a hefty $7.83 a day, or $164.43 a month - which means most of us are sacrificing our daily latte cash to the gods of the gas station pump.

Not 20-year-old college student Danni Brancaccio: The young woman from Vancouver, Washington has pledged to use no more than one tank of gas all summer, despite a 30-mile round trip commute to her job in Portland, Oregon. And, entering August with half a tank left, it looks like her plan’s headed for success.

Brancaccio has used a few measures to avoid filling up - namely, buying a $105 monthly metro pass, which provides access to all major roads in Portland and Vancouver; carpooling with friends and family; and, of course, walking as often as possible. So far this summer, she estimates that she’s saved over $150 in gas fees, and has lost five pounds thanks to her new exercise routine.

Though Brancaccio initially launched her plan as a way to save a few dollars, the ecological consequences of her actions aren’t lost on her. “I wouldn’t call myself an [environmental] activist,” she told ABC News. But she added, “I think green living should start to become second nature to us.”

Filed under: General Interest, Green,

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