Gas prices

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 »

May 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- With energy prices continuing to reach record highs, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) sent a letter to President Bush requesting the creation of a new federal task force to investigate whether speculators are driving up prices in energy commodity markets through manipulative or deceptive practices.

Oil drums: Photo by tripletrouble (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 »

"This isn't an idea designed to get you through the summer, it's designed to get them through an election."

April 29, 2008 -- **Prepared remarks provided below**

Winston-Salem, NC - Speaking in Winston-Salem today, Senator Barack Obama said that the federal gas tax holiday proposed by his opponents is a gimmick that stands in stark relief to the substantive proposals he's made to bring relief to hardworking Americans.

Barack Obama: Photo by Barack Obama campaign    » read more »

4/28/2008 -- Americans are being squeezed at the pump like never before. The price of oil is approaching $120 a barrel. Gas is at a record high in North Carolina of $3.59, up from $3.26 a month ago and $2.90 a year ago, a 23 percent increase in just one year. And while the average family's energy costs have gone up $2,000 a year since President Bush took office, average North Carolina family incomes have fallen by almost $5,000.

Hillary Clinton: Photo by Alan Chan (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON, April 24 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that outrageously high oil and gas prices that Vermonters and Americans are paying constitute a national emergency that requires a bold response from the White House and Congress.

Gas prices: Photo by Ewen Roberts (CC)    » read more »

"Good morning, I'm Frank Lautenberg, United States Senator from New Jersey. This week, the price of oil and gasoline both hit new record highs - almost $120 for a barrel of oil and more than $3.50 a gallon for gas.

"These out-of-control prices mean that hundreds of thousands of Americans are driving to work and spending too much of their day just earning back the cost of their commute. The American people deserve to know why this happened.    » read more »

Proposes Short-Term Steps to Relieve the Pressure of Rising Prices

April 25, 2008 -- **Prepared remarks included below** -- Indianapolis, IN - Senator Barack Obama said today that the special interests in Washington are preventing reform of our energy system and proposed measures to bring meaningful relief to consumers hit by skyrocketing prices.

Barack Obama speaks at an Indiana gas station: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

Excerpt Attached

April 22, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today attacked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new fuel economy rules, calling them “a covert assault” on California’s landmark tailpipe greenhouse gas regulations.

Old car exhausts: Photo by frumbert (CC)

“This fuel economy plan, while attractive on the surface, is a shameful and unlawful assault on California’s landmark vehicle emissions standards,” Attorney General Brown said.    » read more »

Calls Announcement an “Historic Shift”

April 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today praised the Administration’s proposed rule-making to increase interim fuel economy standards to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015.

Car traffic in Los Angeles: Photo by Simon Bisson (CC)    » read more »

New Survey shows Dramatic Increase in “Great Concern” over Gas Prices and Middle East Imports; New Quarterly Report Shows Rising Gas Prices Not Enough to Suppress Oil Consumption

April 21, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released its first quarterly report tracking U.S. gasoline consumption, expenditures, oil imports and consumer attitudes as part of the organization’s ongoing effort to decrease the nation’s consumption of oil.

Sunset over oil derricks: Galveston, Texas. Photo by Alex Watson (CC)    » read more »

At $3.50 a Gallon, Typical Savings Can Be Up to 35 cents a Gallon

Americans can take steps to reduce the nation's oil import dependence by maintaining their vehicles and driving them more economically. Below are CFA's top ten gas-saving tips with savings updated for April 2008 gas prices.

Toyota Prius gas mileage indicator: Photo by Andrew Huff (CC)

1. Check Your Air Filter: A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, and nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. Changing a dirty air filter can save the equivalent of 35 cents a gallon or carry you 23 more miles on a typical tank of gas.    » read more »

Proper Implementation Could Mean A 50+ MPG Fleet Average By 2030, According To UCS Analysis

WASHINGTON -- April 18, 2008 -- The federal agency writing regulations for vehicle fuel economy standards could lay the groundwork for a new vehicle fleetwide average of more than 50 miles per gallon by 2030, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Old gasoline sign: Photo by Tim Morgan (CC)

The regulations mark the first phase of implementing new standards passed by Congress in the energy bill last December.    » read more »

Standard Estimated to Save Missourians $285 Million in Gas Costs

April 21, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today highlighted a study that shows Missouri’s 10 percent ethanol standard (E-10) is helping Missouri drivers save nearly 10 cents per gallon when they fill up their vehicles at Missouri gas stations.

Ethanol E-10: Photo by Jeff Maki (CC)    » read more »

As prices rise, state officials are stepping up inspection efforts

April 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto today outlined continued efforts to protect consumers' pocket books at the pump as unleaded gas prices climb toward the $4 mark.

Michigan gas pump: Photo by Pavel Trebukov (CC)    » read more »