Congressman Whitfield Works to Bring Down Prices at the Pump | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Congressman Whitfield Works to Bring Down Prices at the Pump Oct 7, 2005 Congressman Ed Whitfield on Friday hailed the passage of H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for Americas Security Act of 2005, also known as the GAS Act.

Gasoline prices have gone through the roof and Congress has acted to stop the skyrocketing prices, said Whitfield.This legislation will help to add crucial refining capacity that our country so desperately needs. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had a devastating effect on our Gulf Coast oil supplies and demonstrated the importance of expanding our capacity to produce energy here at home.

The legislation requires designation of sites for new oil refineries, with at least three sites on closed military bases; directs the EPA to ease permitting rules for new or refurbished oil refineries and prohibits price gouging for gasoline sales in areas affected by natural disasters.

The GAS Act, along with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, addresses important issues to reduce our dependence on foreign petroleum products and encourage more conservation and production domestically. It also gives the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish price gouging on gasoline with fines of $11,000 per offense, per day.

While the federal and state authorities are currently investigating gas prices in the wake of recent disasters, this legislation will give the Federal Trade Commission explicit authority and direction to punish those who might take advantage of an emergency to gouge consumers at the gas pump, Whitfield added.

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