Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick: “the spike in gasoline prices after hurricanes Katrina and Rita has drawn national attention to domestic energy supplies…”

“the spike in gasoline prices after hurricanes Katrina and Rita has drawn national attention to domestic energy supplies, as well as fuel efficiency standards. Instead of the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress offering a bill reducing gas prices, home heating prices, declare our Nation's energy independence, protect the environment, and put funds into increasing energy research and development, this Republican Congress promotes a bill that includes massive subsidies to oil companies at the expense of Americans. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated much of the energy infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. The region contains 47 percent of the Nation's oil refining capacity, and 19 percent of the Nation's natural gas production. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina the national average price for gasoline increased 46 cents to $3.07 per gallon. Home heating costs, including home heating oil, natural gas and electricity are predicted to increase 50-90 percent over last year's prices. Since 2001, home heating oil costs have nearly tripled, and natural gas costs have more than doubled, nearing crisis levels for homeowners and Americans on a fixed and low income. President Bush recently gave a speech calling on consumers to conserve gasoline and other fuels. I have yet to hear the President urge oil, coal, utility, and energy companies to reduce their costs.…”