Webster's dictionary defines the word "hostage" as "one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside 'influence." Does that sound like the way you feel at the gas pump these days? Gasoline prices are higher than they have been in two decades -- and analysts predict prices could top two dollars per gallon this summer.

One possible reason for the dramatic increase can be traced back to an agreement signed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in March 1999 to cut back the flow of oil by five million barrels a day. That significant reduction in oil raised the cost of one barrel of oil from $10 last year to nearly $32 today. The agreement OPEC signed expires at the end of this month. At that time OPEC will decide whether to increase their flow of oil by two million barrels a day. But as the New York Times reports, even if OPEC decides to raise its production drastically, and soon, there is little chance that enough crude oil can get to refiners in time to stave off higher prices for summer vacationers in the United States.

After the mid-1970s oil embargo, Congress created the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to prevent another oil shock. Our reserve now holds 568 million barrels of oil and can be released with a nod from the President. However, the President has said he will wait to see what action OPEC takes at the end of the month before deciding whether or not to dip into the oil reserve.

While the President waits, Central New Jersey commuters are stuck paying at the pump. According to a study by the Texas Transportation Institute, Northeastern New Jersey commuters spend, on average, 38 hours a year stuck in traffic and spend $640 a year in costs associated with wasted fuel and congestion. If we are forced to $2 per gallon for gas or more, that price could well exceed $1,000 per person. Fuel-dependent businesses, such as Central New Jersey's family farmers, will be hit even harder. And because we are still in the heating season, fixed incomes families with oil heat are feeling the effect of expensive heat more than anyone.

What can we do? First, we must stabilize oil prices and begin to drive them down. We also must make sure that we understand why prices have increased so dramatically. Last month, I contacted the Secretary of Energy to request an investigation into this matter. If the increase is simply an over-reaction by the domestic industry to OPEC and other international actions we should have mechanisms to prevent such over-reactions. If, however, the increases are motivated by greed and price gauging, serious enforcement action should begin.

In addition, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3543, the "Oil Prices Safeguard Act." This bill would require the President to make a decision to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if prices stay above $25 per barrel for two consecutive weeks -- regardless of what the oil producing nations do.

I am also cosponsoring legislation that would create a special oil reserve for the Northeastern United States. Our state is disproportionately affected by changes in oil prices; such a reserve may help to regulate price shocks for New Jersey families and businesses.

We have the capability to ease the stranglehold OPEC has over us. Our reserve was created to relieve our dependence on oil producing nations and give us the bargaining leverage we need to keep them in check. There is no better time than the present to dip into our reserve and ease prices before the situation gets worse.

Central New Jersey families have enough on their minds, raising children and planning for retirement them to worry about the price of gasoline and heating oil. I am encouraging the President to move quickly on this issue and I will continue to fight in Congress to pass the "Oil Prices Safeguard Act," hopefully to avert a costly summer expense.