WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
June 9, 2005
WEEK 10 GAS PRICE CRISIS
Memorial Day Weekend Brought Highest Gas Prices, Most Travelers
by HNN Staff
Washington, D.C. (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) urged the President
to take action and lower gas prices after a record-setting Memorial Day
weekend. "Every day that passes with inaction from this Administration is
another day West Virginians have to pay too much for gasoline," said Rahall
on Wednesday, June 8, 2005. "This is week ten of the gas price crisis in
West Virginia."
Ten weeks ago, gas prices hit record highs in West Virginia and they remain
remarkably high with the state average of $2.13 per gallon. Memorial Day
weekend is one of the most traveled weekends of the year and this year
brought the highest gas price for a Memorial Day weekend ever.
"This high price combined with the record number of travelers made for
another huge profit for the big oil companies," said Rahall. "These
corporations are enjoying record profits and the Energy bill that House
Republicans pushed through is full of hand outs to these same businesses.
The time is long overdue to end these senseless handouts and help lower the
price of gasoline."
AAA estimated that a record 37.2 million Americans traveled more than 50
miles from their home last weekend. This record number of Memorial Day
travelers doesn't just coincide with the highest priced gasoline for
Memorial Day weekend, but the highest gasoline price for any holiday,
according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"Millions of Americans traveled home to be with their loved ones this
Memorial Day weekend, and the Big Oil Industry reaped the benefits along the
way by sticking Americans with the highest gasoline prices ever for a
holiday weekend," said Rahall. "Maybe now the Administration will listen to
my consistent calls for an investigation into the possibility of price
fixing and price gouging at the pump."
The Wall Street Journal reported in May that experts are forecasting that
oil prices may experience a "second peak" in the near future. Rahall
stressed that action is needed from the Administration to ease gasoline
prices in West Virginia and throughout the Nation.
"Another gasoline increase would cripple our nation's economy and make it
nearly impossible for families in West Virginia to keep up with rising
tuition, health care costs and mortgage payments," said Rahall. "Once
again, I urge the President to take action today to help Americans and lower
gas prices."
