U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) expressed continued outrage with the high gas prices today. With record high gas prices across the state four days ago on Tuesday, April 5th, Rahall said, "This is day four of a gas price crisis in West Virginia. Something must be done to help lower these prices in the short term and for the future."

West Virginia's state average for regular gasoline hit a record $2.23 a gallon last Tuesday with many towns in southern West Virginia being hit hard. Of this price per gallon local convenience stores receive only about a few cents, while the high prices are creating huge profits for oil companies throughout the world. The average gasoline price per gallon in West Virginia has risen by more than a half dollar over the last year and the Department of Energy expects prices to continue to rise during the peak travel time of the summer.

"These high gas prices do not create any winners in West Virginia," said Rahall. "Our residents and local businesses must pay an outrageous price for gasoline. Our local convenience stores are not making any money off the high prices; in fact they are probably losing money since people will spend less money inside the store, where a real profit can be made."

The gas price crisis is not just occurring in West Virginia. According to AAA, today is the first day ever that the average gas price in each of the 50 states is more than $2. In an attempt to lower gasoline prices in the long run and decrease dependency on foreign oil, Rahall has consistently advocated for new fuels, such as coal based liquid or gaseous fuel.

"It is clear that something must be done to pull the emergency break on these gas prices and stop the continuous increase of gasoline costs," said Rahall. "I have advocated developing alternative fuels and strategies for years. We know there is a serious need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources and I urge this Administration to start doing so in a way that will relieve the American people of this terrible financial burden."

Rahall also advocates investigating oil companies for the possibility that they are fixing their prices illegally. Rahall urged the Administration to hold such an investigation last March to no avail. If oil companies are illegally setting prices then an investigation by the Administration would be the first step down the road to lowering gasoline prices now.

"So far the only action to lower gas prices by the Administration has been inaction and West Virginia deserves better," said Rahall.