March 13, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upstate New York families continue to struggle with near record prices for gasoline. Across the country, the price for a gallon of regular gasoline has surged an average of 20 cents over the past two weeks.

“Rising gas prices continue to hurt our families. Today, drivers are paying over $2.70 for a gallon of regular gasoline in New York State. This is an astonishing 89% percent increase since 2001,” said Congresswoman Gillibrand today “It’s time for a change – America needs a new direction on energy policy.”

“For the last six years, as our families struggled with high prices at the pump, the oil and gas companies have made record profits. Last year, the big six oil companies made a staggering $125 billion and consumers footed the bill,” commented Rep. Gillibrand.

In the first 100 hours, the House passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, to repeal $14 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for Big Oil companies in order to invest in clean renewable energy and alternative fuels and energy efficiency.  Congresswoman Gillibrand was an original co-sponsor of that legislation.

“This is just the beginning of a comprehensive effort to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, ensuring that energy will be more affordable for all of our  families in the future and that all Americans are not at the whim of OPEC,” promised Rep. Gillibrand.  

By this summer, the House of Representatives will be working on the first part of their plan to end our addiction to foreign oil and reduce climate change.  As part of this effort, they are committed to investing in the development of clean, sustainable energy alternatives including cellulosic ethanol. They will also be working to provide relief for consumers while bringing down gas prices through a new federal law that cracks down on unfair price gouging by energy companies. 

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