Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson today echoed House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other House leaders in calling for inquiries by the Federal Trade Commission into possible price manipulation by oil companies.

“We have sought this kind of action in the past and seen temporary relief, but the pattern continues,” Rep. Johnson said. “These increases hardly seem justifiable in the face of multi-million-dollar salaries, bonuses and buy-outs on the part of oil executives.

“People from throughout my district are pleading for relief. It’s not just changing travel or vacation plans. It’s becoming a choice between groceries or gas for many people. This is unacceptable,” Rep. Johnson said. “As I said in my letter to the FTC last fall, it is their duty to regulate and monitor potential instances of collusion of profiteering in retail gas prices, and I certainly hope the Commission embraces this responsibility in this time of turmoil.”

Rep. Johnson said he would address the problem on other fronts as well, including urging state leaders to review their gas tax policies, urging President Bush to release strategic petroleum reserves and working even harder for higher fuel standards and incentives that will reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

Rep. Johnson is a cosponsor of HR3762, which would raise the fuel efficiency standard to 33 mpg by 2015, a modest increase in relation to what is technically achievable. This proposal has the potential to save 2.6 million barrels of oil a day.

Further, the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced plans for hearings on rising energy prices.  The House Resources Committee has also announced plans for hearings beginning with one on renewable and alterative energy production this Thursday.

The House Agriculture Committee, on which Rep. Johnson sits, will also be holding hearings Thursday on the futures market and rising gas prices.

Rep. Johnson said the promise of lasting relief will come in a realignment of how the United States uses its energy sources. The Energy Policy Act signed into law last year is a critical starting point. With tax incentives in places for the development of ethanol, biomass, wind energy, solar and other alternative energies, citizens will see changes in the production, the use and the cost of how we power our cars, homes and businesses.

Rep. Johnson promised that in keeping with those changes, he would redouble his efforts to work for higher fuel efficiency standards and the development of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.         

###