Adjusting to Gas Prices

Statement

Once again, the cost of a barrel of oil dominates headlines, as Americans reach further into their pockets as they struggle to make ends meet. Across my district, constituents adjust household budgets due to the rapid rise in gas prices. The national average for regular gas sits at $3.90 per gallon. In New York State, we see a standard of $4.11, well above the nation average.[i] On April 21, 2011, due to the rising costs and legitimate concerns over price gauging, the U.S. Department of Justice formed the Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group.[ii] Designed to "monitor oil and gas markets for potential violations of criminal or civil laws to safeguard against unlawful consumer harm," [iii] this group will work towards better regulation and the protection of consumers. We have seen the negative effect of high gas prices on the American economy. My colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle have the responsibility to join me in doing everything in our capacity to address price gauging at the pumps. Drilling alone cannot resolve America's growing dependence on fuel, nor satisfy even our current, let alone future, energy needs. I look forward to working to develop technology to diminish our reliance on foreign oil. As we reduce our collective carbon footprint and move towards a clean, green, economy, we move towards prepared a future workforce and the healthy planet well within our grasp!

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