Mike's Mailbag

Congressman Rogers has heard from many constituents expressing their concerns on various issues. Do you have a question for Congressman Rogers?  Would you like to tell him your opinion on a current issue or piece of legislation? Send Congressman Rogers a message.

Congressman Rogers received the following letter from a consituent about gas prices.

I am writing for a very different reason. Reading the news today, I noted where representatives of the big oil companies were testifying before Congress regarding the high gasoline prices. I thought to myself, "finally!"

Why do these companies need profits in the hundreds of billions of dollars? Why are they rolling in big, fat paychecks when those of us who are out here scraping to make a living have to forego paying bills just to buy gas to get to work? Couldn't they do just as well by only profiting, say $5 billion instead? Oil companies should have enough conscious to recognize that the people are all in a bind and could use a little help, and cutting their profits back would be huge to American families right now. It would not hurt them one bit to "eat" some of the cost of oil and lower the prices at the pump even as much as $1.50 per gallon! I don't mean forever, just until their profit margin balances in the $5 billion range. Profits in that range should be more than enough for anyone to be comfortable with without any fear of going belly-up.

I'm asking you to do what you can to force oil companies to give us a break. They can afford it - we can't.

Thank you so much!

Congressman Rogers responded saying:

Thank you for contacting me with regard to rising gas prices and the oil industry as a whole. It is good to hear from you and I completely share your concerns on this important issue.

In recent weeks we have seen another round of record breaking profits for the major oil companies while average Alabamians are paying ever increasing prices at the pump. While solving these challenges in our global economy is a complex undertaking and could take years to implement, it is critical that Congress act now to provide real solutions to help lower energy prices over the long term and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy for the future.

I am a stanch supporter of research and development initiatives for alternative forms of energy like bio-diesel, bio-mass, hydrogen, and ethanol that are being conducted at Third District institutions like Auburn University. Many of these initiatives use abundant agricultural products that are widely available in Alabama like switchgrass and wood chips. In addition, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 670, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (NY), which would help reduce our dependence on foreign oil through the use of alternative fuels and new vehicle technologies.

I recently supported H.R. 5351 that reduced certain oil and natural gas tax subsidies for Big Oil and created a fund to support energy efficiency and renewable energy. On February 27, 2008 it passed the House by a vote of 236 to 182 with my support.

Another long-term solution is expanding our domestic energy sources to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. For example, I support energy exploration in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which would produce up to 2 million new barrels of oil a day. I also support expanded exploration and drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

In contrast to the billions in profits reported by the major oil companies recently, hard-working Alabamians have felt pain, not profit, at the pump for too long. While gas prices will no doubt remain high for the foreseeable future, over the long term I hope this legislation; along with other energy initiatives that help encourage the production of renewal fuels like ethanol and hydrogen helps bring greater stability and affordability to our energy supply. Currently it still has several steps to go in the legislative process.

Thank you again for contacting me. If you would like further information on issues of importance to you, please log onto my website at www.house.gov/mike-rogers. Please call on me again.

Send Congressman Rogers a Message

Do you have a question for Congressman Rogers?  Would you like to tell him your opinion on a current issue or piece of legislation? Send Congressman Rogers a message.

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