Governor Urges Congress to Investigate Rising Gas Prices

[MaineDem]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Urges Congress to Investigate Rising Gas Prices

AUGUSTA - Governor Baldacci has joined Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell
and 20 Governors from across the country to urge a bipartisan
Congressional investigation of escalating gas prices.

Maine's statewide average for gasoline prices was at $3.09/gallon on May
21, compared to $2.86/gallon a year ago. In areas around Presque Isle
and Caribou, it was as high as $3.24/gallon. The U.S. Energy
Information Administration expects national averages to decrease
slightly over the next few weeks but to remain around $3.00/gallon for
most of the summer. It also warns that prices could rise again in
August if demand for gasoline increases during that time, as it
frequently does.

"High gasoline prices trickle through our entire economy," Governor
Baldacci said. "A lot of hard working people in Maine don't have the
luxury of deciding not to drive. They rely on their cars to get to work
and for their businesses. They deserve an answer about why gas prices
have increased so much while large oil companies are reporting record
profits."

Governor Baldacci signed onto a letter written by Governor Rell that was
sent to U.S. House and Senate leadership dated May 21, 2007, and stating
that "families and businesses across the country are straining under
these uncontrollable prices." The letter stressed that "This is not a
simple 'supply and demand' issue because gasoline is not a simple
commodity. It is a basic necessity."

In addition to signing the letter to Congress, Governor Baldacci has
directed the Maine Office of Energy Independence and Security to
communicate his concerns to the Attorney General in order to avoid any
potential price gauging or anti-competitive practices. The Governor's
Office will also maintain regular communication with Maine's
Congressional Delegation in order to monitor state and national gasoline
inventories.

Maine's Energy Information Web site has tips about how Maine drivers can
enhance their fuel economy at: www.maineenergyinfo.com/docs/tips.pdf.

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