For Immediate Release:
Thursday, September 1, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - Congressman Dan Boren today released the following statement regarding gas prices:

 

“As the people of the Gulf Coast region cope with the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and work toward getting 10 percent of the nation’s refinery capacity back up and running, it is important that government, industry and private citizens work together to stabilize an uncertain gas market,” Boren said.  “We need to strictly monitor any attempts at price gouging and make sure unscrupulous people don’t take advantage of these circumstances. 

 

“I ask the President to release 50 million more barrels of crude oil in the Strategic Reserve, to make sure our refineries are well supplied,” Boren continued.  “Expediting gas to market by temporarily loosening transportation and refining regulations are significant strides by government in addressing the spiraling fuel costs we are seeing in Oklahoma and across the country.

 

“In town hall meetings across the Second District the overwhelming feedback I have received is that something must be done.  Oklahomans drive long distances to work and many are on fixed incomes.  We cannot sustain these prices much longer.

 

“I applaud the step that Senator Mike Morgan has taken to help relieve this burden by temporarily reducing state fuel taxes and hope that the Governor will act swiftly.

 

“When members of Congress return next week we must focus on building more refinery capacity and keep working towards a long-term strategy to fix this problem.”

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