Darien News-Review - Himes Speaks Out On Pump Problems

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Darien News-Review - Himes Speaks Out On Pump Problems

With the official start of summer around the corner and vacationers and workers alike lining up for overpriced fuel at regional service stations, Democratic nominee for Congress Jim Himes pumped gas, washed windshields and discussed the ever-growing problem of skyrocketing fuel prices while serving customers at Smitty's Service Center in Norwalk last Friday.

"We wanted to highlight how families in this district are hurting," said Himes. "We've lost good middle class jobs, but the cost of living here continues to rise. In addition, interest rates and property taxes keep climbing. Four-dollar-a-gallon gas only makes it harder for middle class families to live here."

Customers at the service station, many of who were driving popular SUVs, discussed the fuel problem with Himes and talked about the dilemmas increasing gas prices are creating. With top-off prices for some larger vehicles, which often only get a miserly 12-14 miles per gallon, running in excess of $80, Himes was adamant about rapid and effective measures he believes must be taken in order to properly address the issue.

"We can bring the cost of gas down by increasing tax incentives for hybrid cars, increasing fuel efficiency standards and committing to improving our mass transit system. We also need to start investing in alternative energy and start thinking seriously about ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," Himes said.

Himes also stressed that special tax breaks for oil companies posting record profits must be eliminated. Exxon Mobil netted $10.89 billion in profit for the first three months of 2008, marking the second highest U.S. corporate profit on record.

"Our families are struggling right now with a crisis that was perfectly foreseeable," Himes said, noting that his opponent, incumbent Christopher Shays, is in support of a gas tax increase.

A "total lack of leadership," Himes said, is largely responsible for the fuel crisis faced by Americans today.

According to the American Automobile Association, the nationwide average for a gallon of gas stands at a high of $3.83. In May 2002, the average price per gallon in Connecticut was $1.20. Today, the average price per gallon in Connecticut is $4.08 the second highest in the nation.

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