WHITE PLAINS, NY – As gas prices soar above $3 a gallon in parts of New York, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) is urging the Bush Administration to take steps to combat price increases.  Lowey issued the following statement:

“As the Gulf region reels from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we must continue to take a hard look at the energy policies that have led us to gas prices over $3 a gallon.  The release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was a necessary step, but it comes at least a month too late and at a time when refining capacity has been undermined by the catastrophic storm. 

“The supply disruptions that we are currently experiencing come after months of rising gas prices.  We are suffering today for five years of ineffective energy policies and a lack of leadership from the Administration.  It is past time for the President to call upon OPEC and Saudi Arabia to increase their production capacity which would help stabilize the international oil markets. 

“We must also diversify our energy sources and encourage energy efficiency.  Next year the standards for diesel fuel will be modernized, but we are years behind Europe in doing so.  The result is that today the European’s have excess gas refining capacity while we have too little.

“The President and Congress must also revisit the recently passed Energy Bill.  Too much money was diverted towards oil and gas exploration and extraction at a time of record profits for the oil companies, while far too little was included for clean energy and energy efficiency.  We must increase the fuel economy of cars with real standards, rather than the half measures and loophole ridden proposal that the President has given us.

“The President must finally accept the responsibility to take all of these steps, which are in our national interest.  At the same time, right now, the federal government must state unequivocally that price gouging will not be tolerated and that markets will be strictly monitored. 

“These are important challenges that we must face as a nation, and we must act quickly.  The goal of improved energy security and efficiency can be accomplished while respecting the environment and continuing to grow the economy, but it will require strong and decisive leadership and a willingness to act that has not been demonstrated by this Administration.”

Consumers are understandably alarmed by recent spikes in gas prices.  Residents who wish to report instances of price gouging are urged to call the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155 or the Rockland County Department of Consumer Protection at (845) 708-7600.