Stalling on Fixing the Price of Gasoline

Statement

Stalling on Fixing the Price of Gasoline

On a trip back to Nebraska recently, I took the opportunity to meet with folks who were filling up their gas tanks at local gas stations in North Platte, Hastings, and Grand Island.

High fuel prices take a toll on our daily lives in so many ways, and Congress has the responsibility to do something about it, rather than just wax poetic. Instead of helping consumers by expanding our refining capacity or increasing our available energy supply, Congress has yet to enact meaningful legislation that will result in lower energy prices.

Sure, recent debates on the House Floor have produced great sound bites for Members of Congress, but we have yet to produce one cent of savings to the American people.

Recent media accounts have reported the price of gasoline rose in Nebraska recently by as much as 8 cents a gallon for regular unleaded. Many analysts point to a shutdown of a Kansas refinery after a swollen river flooded. The sharpest rise came in Kearney and North Platte, where the average price was around $3.27.

Consumers are rightfully concerned about high gasoline prices and the burden high prices impose on families and businesses. High gas prices have cut into the travel budgets of Nebraska's families this summer, and have caused our small businesses, farmers, and ranchers to make cuts elsewhere to carry the costs.

America needs a balanced, commonsense energy plan that will actually create energy, lower prices for consumers and make our energy supplies more secure. We need a plan that promotes conservation, greater efficiency, renewable fuels, and more exploration of American energy resources.

It is important to encourage investment in new and innovative technologies to deliver the fuels of the future and to deploy green, high-tech technologies to improve traditional, American-made energy production.

Unfortunately, the leadership of Congress has put forth proposals that only create hurdles for American energy production. Focusing our efforts on these misguided priorities does nothing to lower the price of fuel or energy for Americans. It is past time for action.

We are all firmly against monopolies or anticompetitive practices. Any instances of illegal collective anticompetitive action can and should be vigorously fought by the Federal Trade Commission and, if criminal conduct is involved, by the Department of Justice. The problem with legislation put forth so far is that terms like "price gouging" and "unconscionable" have no economic or legal definition. It might make a great headline, but it makes for bad policy.

As a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, I am committed to promoting energy policies which can boost the use of clean, renewable energy, while reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.

In addition, clean energy has helped create jobs and increased demand for agricultural products while promoting Nebraska as a national leader in the production of alternative fuels.

This trend, while encouraging, will not solve our energy crisis overnight. Our energy crisis requires a long-term solution. By promoting American energy, increasing refining capacity, and safeguarding consumers from price gouging, we will help promote affordable prices at the pump.

The debate so far has focused on rhetoric, which has yielded nothing. As Congress heads toward the August district work period, I hope the Congressional Leadership will focus on what matters to the American people, rise above the rhetoric, and get serious about solving some of the hurdles facing all of us.

Only a truly bipartisan approach - without the unilateral strong arm tactics displayed so far - will craft a comprehensive energy plan that increases the supply of American-made energy, grows our economy, and lowers fuel costs for consumers.

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