GAS PRICE HEARINGS TO OCCUR THURSDAY
MORNING
March 8, 2000
Washington, D.C. – One week after U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer
(D-Ala.) called for hearings on rising gas prices, the
Commerce Committee of The House of Representatives has decided
to hold hearings on the subject. They are scheduled for
Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. The Energy and Power
subcommittee will hold the hearing to investigate what can be
done about the fluctuations in oil markets. In North Alabama,
prices for unleaded gasoline are up to $1.51 per
gallon.
“There is no end in sight to these soaring
prices and it’s affecting everyone from truckers to tourism to
senior citizens,” said Cramer. “We need to look at this issue
very carefully and look at all possible
solutions.”
Cramer went on to comment on recent actions
by the OPEC oil ministers. “Our allies in the Persian Gulf
need to work with us to ensure a reliable and reasonably
priced energy supply. I hope the administration will use every
means at their disposal to drive that point home with them. We
have made a substantial commitment to our allies in that
region and this is the time that we need them to pay attention
to this issue.”
“We have to rattle cages – we
can’t afford not to and let these prices continue to rise.
This is a complicated issue with no easy solutions but
something has to be done. I am pleased that the Committee is
holding hearings tomorrow because the sooner we can get to the
bottom of this and take action the better.”
Cramer sent
a letter to Chairman Bliley last week requesting hearings on
the rising cost of fuel and home heating
oil.
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