You make clean air sound like a bad thing.
I don't think your reasoning is unfounded, however, that's not the reason for the sudden sharp rise in fuel prices. The basic reason is three things: supply, demand and greed. The supply of oil is controlled by the oil refineries, there are ships at this very moment waiting to off load their cargo, but that would create a surplus lowering the price of fuel. Second is demand. The fact is America consumes more fuel than any other country, I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. And last is greed. The oil companies (not gas stations) are at the advantage, they know that we will continue to pay continue our way of life that we have become so accustom to.
The primary goal of the oil companies is to make profit and they like to see their profits go up every year. That's what we pay for, production cost don't go up significantly, and the cost of upgrading a refinery are minor, but it's another reason for them to complain so they can raise the price for more PROFIT!: