Nope, your about right. Although "we" might say "damn the consequences", to some degree, "we" also demand a clean environment. Wouldn't you agree? I have yet to hear a poster say, "fuck the environment", outright. It is a balancing act, freedom versus cleanliness. I've gone over this before, and should find the post, but that could take even longer.

At what price would you want the purest air imaginable? Would you forsake long distance travel? Would you allow limitations on travel, 10 miles a day max, if your not walking or biking? Everybody has to take the bus, no more private cars allowed? Would you let the government tell you that you aren't allowed to smoke in parks, or bars? Or would you be happy with a slight amount of pollution, and have freedom to chose what level of pollution you are comfortable with, and what freedoms you don't want to relinquish?
As far as lowering the cost, that's easy. The government should lower their taxes on energy products. It's funny that this is
never offered as a possible solution. After the cost of the crude oil, taxes are the second highest contributor to the prices you pay at the pump.