Congressman Aderholt Works to Bring Down Prices at the Pump

CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT WORKS TO BRING DOWN PRICES AT THE PUMP

"The GAS Act is a good start to making sure our energy supplies are stable and consumers are protected at the pump," said Congressman Aderholt.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today announced the House passage of H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for America's Security (GAS) Act of 2005 which seeks to increase capacity, streamline fuel supplies, provide transparency in gasoline pricing, fight price gouging, reduce bureaucracy, and revitalize refineries.

"The recent hurricane damage and resulting price spikes for gasoline only highlighted what we already knew," said Congressman Aderholt. "With no new refineries built in our country in over 25 years, and 47% of our domestic refining concentrated in the Gulf states, we are vulnerable to problems with our energy supplies. This bill is a first step towards correcting that. "

The GAS Act, along with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, addresses important issues to reduce our dependence on foreign petroleum products and encourage more conservation and production domestically. It also gives the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish price gouging on gasoline with fines of $11,000 per offense, per day.

"While the federal and state authorities are currently investigating gas prices in the wake of recent disasters, this legislation will give the Federal Trade Commission explicit authority and direction to punish those who might take advantage of an emergency to gouge consumers at the gas pump," Aderholt added.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/al04_aderholt/PR051007.html