Hi. Thanks for your comment - the replies make this one of the most insightful threads I've read on /.. People get so angry at just the mention of raising gas taxes without even considering the evidence for it.
I support raising gas prices because I don't trust anyone, especially government, to micromanage production without the help of a free market. Small government means simple rules.
You might want to look up a book called 'Natural Capitalism'. It reasons that government is responsible for (1) protecting the environment and (2) raising capitol. Both these goals can be achieved by taxing natural resources, like oil or clean air.
Now when government taxes resources they can reduce income tax. Corporations that now choose to high one guy to run a oil-burning machine will be able to hire two workers instead, since lower income tax means workers can make the same, but cost the company less. This kind of affect cannot be found by mandating car efficiency, but it's exactly the thing we need.