For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Dan Boren voted today in support of the Federal Energy Price Protection Act to prohibit price gouging in the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil and home heating oil.  This is the first step taken by Congress in recent weeks to address the rapidly rising prices consumers are paying for fuel.

 

“Congress doesn’t set prices at the pump, but we can take action to ensure consumers are being treated fairly,” Boren said.  “This legislation provides a mechanism to investigate price gouging and prosecute those found to be inflating already high costs.”

 

The legislation is the first in a series of measures Congress is expected to consider this month to bring relief to consumers.  Strengthening consumer protections, increasing domestic production capacity, and shifting more focus to alternative fuel sources will provide long-term relief.

 

“Government, industry and private citizens all have to work together to stabilize this uncertain energy market,” Boren said.  “In Oklahoma we drive long distances to work and many people are on fixed incomes.  We cannot sustain these prices much longer.”

 

Boren serves on the House Resources Committee and its Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, which is responsible for energy rights on our public lands.  He continues to support measures in Congress that provide the most domestic energy at the lowest cost possible.

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