An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune looks at a key factor behind this fall’s downward shift in fuel prices — the changing of Americans’ consumption habits.

Falling demand is sinking gas prices, but frugal consumers don’t see their mileage climbing back up anytime soon. (Washington Post — Steven Mufson)

A negative economic outlook and continued drop in demand drags down the price of oil. (AFP)

Oil experts Matt Simmons and Henry Groppe talk about the future of oil prices, its impact on Houston, and the potential for conservation. (Houston Chronicle — Rick Casey)

The New York Times bashes Congress’ fixation on looking for short-term solutions to high gas prices and pushes policymakers to do more to encourage the production of renewable energy.

Examining the implications of the financial crisis and the opportunities for recovery, commentator James K. Galbraith argues that the United States can go after a vast unmet need in our economy by building a program of “energy conservation, reconstruction and renewable power.” (Washington Post)

Continuing their gradual shift on offshore drilling, House Democrats are now pushing a bill to open up U.S. coastlines to oil exploration. (New York Times — Carle Hulse)

Matt Simmons, one of the world’s leading oil analysts and a lifelong Republican, talks about peak oil and describes his party’s presidential candidate as “energy illiterate.” (Fortune Magazine — Brian O’Keefe)

Hoosier Environmental Council Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda argues that Americans should begin looking at the entire costs of transportation — not just the price of gas. (Indianapolis Star)

Looking at factors that range from transportation and housing to innovation and investment, Ethisphere Magazine lists 10 large cities and 10 mid-size cities that are working to become “global sustainability centers” by 2020.