Gas

Going the Way of the Typewriter?

A generation is growing up in the United States with no idea what a typewriter is! Once an important part of the work place, typewriters are almost impossible to find these days. Will the same be said about home heating oil tanks, outside limited areas, several generations from now?

Home heating chart    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – At the urging of United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today agreed to launch an inquiry into the record high fuel prices facing American consumers. The commission, which is responsible for investigating consumer protection and competition issues in broad sectors of the economy, announced the investigation at their annual budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, which Durbin chairs.    » read more »

By Suspending Deposits into the Nearly-Full Strategic Petroleum Reserve, More Oil Will Be Available in the Marketplace to Help Bring Down Gas Prices

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed a measure co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) that will help lower gas prices that have reached all-time highs.

California gas prices: Photo by Brian Locicero (CC)

The Senate passed a Feingold-backed initiative to suspend the filling of the strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) that was originally created to provide relief when oil and gasoline supply shortages caused economic hardships.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate passed an amendment to the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (S.2284) to suspend filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of this provision, which passed by a vote of 97 to 1.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement following House passage of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act by a vote of 385 to 25. The bill temporarily suspends the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through the end of the year, as long as the price of crude oil remains above $75 per barrel.

Oil pipes at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve: DOE photo    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- With the average price for a gallon of gas in Connecticut climbing to $3.95, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a measure that would suspend oil deliveries to the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve until crude prices fall below $75 a barrel.

A technician at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve inspects crude oil transfer pipe: Photo courtesy DOE

The proposal to halt shipments to the emergency oil reserve cleared the Senate in a 97 to 1 vote and is expected to receive bipartisan support in the House.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- MACON, Ga – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed an executive order suspending the collection of the state gas tax on diesel sold for off-road uses. Governor Perdue also signed several agricultural-related pieces of legislation during his visit to Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon: Senate Bill 515, House Bill 649, and House Bill 1178 and House Bill 1088.

Georgia tractor at work in cornfield: Photo by Judy Baxter (CC)    » read more »

Statement by David Friedman, Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008) - Chrysler announced yesterday that it will cover gasoline costs above $2.99 a gallon for customers who buy or lease a new vehicle from the company. The offer is limited to the first three years customers use their cars and covers up to 12,000 miles per year.

According the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Chrysler is trying to fool consumers into overlooking its vehicles' poor fuel economy and environmental performance. The savings the Chrysler program offers, the organization says, don't measure up to the savings one would get from purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Below is a statement by David Friedman, research director for UCS's Clean Vehicles Program:    » read more »

Spring and the Summer-Grade Gasoline Price Bump

For many, the sight of a bird’s eggs hatching or tulips blooming signifies the arrival of spring. Historically, spring is also the time for rising gasoline prices. Over the last 10 years, the monthly average retail price for regular-grade gasoline has increased by an average 7 cents a gallon from April to May. In EIA’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the average gasoline wholesale price for May is projected to increase by 10 cents per gallon from last month.    » read more »

05/08/2008 -- Washington, DC — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus, Charles Schumer, Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders held a press conference today to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices.

Gas prices: Photo by Todd Lappin (CC)

Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers. Democrats are committed to providing relief to consumers and strengthening our economic, energy and national security.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 7, 2008) – The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing later this month to examine the rising price of crude oil and its effect on gas prices across the country, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced today.

Giant 5 mpg SUV: Photo by Financial Aid Podcast (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid joined other Democratic senators at a press conference this week to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices. Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers.

“Nevadans are paying more and more every day to fill up their gas tanks, yet Bush Republicans only offer more of the same failed energy policies that brought us to this point,” Reid said.    » read more »

Alaskans Feel Pinch of High Costs

May 7, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin released the following statement as the price of Alaska North Slope crude oil reached a record level of $123.53 a barrel.

Trans-Alaska pipeline: Photo by rickz (CC)

“Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs. The state treasury is swelling while the family checkbook is evaporating. As prices continue to rise, we cannot wait for medium- and long-term solutions to come into place.”    » read more »

As Oil Company Profits Hit Record Highs, Americans Pay the Price at Pump

May 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Uncompetitive practices by oil companies and manipulation of the market by financial speculators are two culprits behind soaring gas prices, Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program, told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee today.

Chevron oil refinery: Photo by Garlyn (CC)    » read more »

N.J. Sen. Says OPEC Production Limits Inflate Gas Prices, Violate International Trade Laws

May 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last week, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced legislation to force action against the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for its anti-competitive practices and illegal export quotas on oil, which ultimately lead to higher gas prices here at home.

OPEC building, Vienna: Photo by Spino73 (CC)    » read more »