Massachusetts congressman adds to call for probe into gas prices

[Nambe]

Associated Press

Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., has joined a growing list of state and federal officials calling for an investigation into soaring gasoline prices.

Standing in front of gas pumps at the Battle Green Shell Gas Station in Lexington, Ma., Markey said oil companies are exploiting consumers and taking advantage of the holiday weekend.

"While motorists are fleeced at the pump during one of the busiest driving weekends of the year, oil companies are raking in the dough," Markey said. ---

According to Doug MacIntyre, an analyst for the federal Energy Information Administration, demand has contributed to the price hikes. From July 19 to Aug. 15, Americans used 9.4 million barrels per day, the highest four-week period on record.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Thank All Mighty God for Massachussetts!!!!

:kick: Love those Dems!!!!!

[MarianJack]

2. Hmmmm....

The president is a price gouging oil exec. :dunce:

The vice-president is a price gouging oil exec. :spank:

The national security advisor is a nut AND has an oil tanker named after her. :puke:

I bet that the oil companies are TERRIFIED of the feds coming after them for this price hike! ;(

Any D over any r in '04!:bounce:

[maggrwaggr]

3. So if the prices go up, people use less? I don't think so

The highest prices EVER. EVER.

There's absolutely no good "reason" for it other than the oil companies have figured out how to keep the prices high.

[radfringe]

4. glad for the call for investigation...but

this seems to happen every spring/fall when gas prices jump and the investigation goes nowhere....especially in the whistleass mis-administration

the usual excuses will be given:

1. refineries are switching from summer/winter blend to the winter/summer blend

2. "X" amount of refineries are down for scheduled maintenance

3. "X" amount of refineries are down for unexpected maintenance

4. need more oil - start drilling everywhere

5. if we lowered the pollution standards we wouldn't have this problem

6. it's Clinton's fault

by the time Congress gets back into session and there is some more serious talk of an investigation the prices will have dropped and the "urgency" of an investigation will go out the window until the next time prices go up again