Lawmakers Want Investigation On High Gas Prices

Three House Democrats have sent a letter to U.S Attorney General Eric Holder to investigation high gas prices in the state, which some lawmakers say are unfair to Alaskans.

Tools

By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: May 1, 2011 at 11:44 AM AKDT

Story Updated: May 1, 2011 at 6:37 PM AKDT

Alaskans are feeling the pinch at the pump, once again, after gas prices rose six cents overnight at several gas stations across Anchorage.

“That’s the whole thing about this drilling, drilling, drilling, what good is it to drill and get more oil if we’re not going to use it for ourselves,” said, Donald Amrhein, a trucker from Anchorage.

The question of why prices are so high is one Alaskan lawmakers have been trying to answer for years.

“Doesn’t make sense, and I think the public deserves that response,” said Rep. Mia Costello, D-Anchorage.

A response three Alaska House Democrats, including Rep. Pete Petersen, D-Anchorage, are now trying to get from U.S Attorney General Eric Holder.  They want the federal government to step in and investigate Alaska's high gas prices.

“We’re hoping that he's going to do an investigation and that he may be able to get the refineries to provide additional information beyond what has been provided so far,” he said.

Steve Pratt, a local energy economist, says he has a solution to the rising gas prices; in fact, it’s a recommendation he proposed several years ago. Pratt suggested the State buy future oil now at a locked price for several years, which he says would allow prices to increase slowly for customers, rather than all at once. 

“If we do that we may be able to save some agony for school districts, for communities, for community centers, and for fuel in Rural Alaska,” he said.

Pratt’s recommendation failed to become a reality after minimal support from lawmakers in Juneau. Representative Les Gara, D-Anchorage, says he introduced legislation this session which addresses the manner in which refineries pass costs to the consumer, the bill was tabled until next session. 

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

lee said on Monday, May 2 at 10:54 AM

we pump it and we have the higest in the nation and we are thinking of given the oil companies a tax cut . Give alaskans a break first and lower the price

66234134
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.