Murphy Calls on Congress to Take Country Back from Oil Companies

Press Release

Murphy Calls on Congress to Take Country Back from Oil Companies

Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) held a press conference in Cheshire to discuss the need for long-term, comprehensive energy policy reform to combat high gas prices and take the country back from oil companies. Since 2001, gas prices in Connecticut have gone up 112%, increasing to $3.22 a gallon in May 2007 from an average of $1.52 a gallon in January 2001.

"Today's gas prices are unacceptable. I am always wary of framing debates as us versus them, but the current oil market works for those who profit from it, not consumers. It is no mystery why we are in this situation, given the close ties of this Administration and the previous Congress to the industry. This year, we have an opportunity to take on the oil companies, and we need to have the courage to do it," said Murphy.

In order to begin taking the country back from the oil companies, Murphy is proposing the following actions.

The Government Accountability Office should investigate whether oil companies are profiting from refinery outages at their own facilities. Murphy and the Connecticut Congressional delegation recently sent a letter to the agency requesting this investigation.

Congress should pass legislation to raise fuel economy standards to 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2012.

The Senate should pass House-passed legislation to roll back $14 billion in taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil companies.

The Senate should pass House-passed legislation to crack down on OPEC if it attempts to limit the supply or fix the price of oil by subjecting the organization to anti-trust laws.

Congress should pass legislation to expand and extend renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives and increase our national commitment to energy research.

"No matter how many new policies we enact, we must change our consumption habits to make a difference in the worldwide oil market. This isn't a problem the United States faces alone, but we should be a global leader, not a straggler, on tackling our addiction to oil," said Murphy.

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