WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior Democratic Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today called for the immediate creation of a federal gasoline anti-profiteering task force. A letter sent today by Rep. Markey to the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department and the Department of Energy requested the investigation and prosecution of cases of pricegouging at gasoline stations:

“It is apparent that the problem of price-gouging at gasoline stations has become rampant in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gasoline prices are being raised without regard to the cost. This is probably occurring all along the production and supply chain, but it is certainly evident to any person driving around with a gas tank approaching empty and an eye on the price at the pump,” the letter stated.

The letter was sent to the various agencies in response to reports that the price of a gallon of oil was peaking about six dollars in some parts of the country.

The letter continues: “Some prices at the pump have risen more than 50 cents overnight – and there are news reports of extraordinary and obvious cases of price-gouging where operators have jacked up the pump price to almost $6 a gallon! The Administration must act urgently and forcefully to stop this, not only to protect American families, but also out of respect for those station owners who are acting fairly amid the runaway price-gouging all around them.

“Every branch of government will need to mobilize to restore the health and welfare of the nation. Unfortunately, this must include the immediate creation of a Gasoline Anti-Profiteering Task Force at the federal level, first to send a signal of seriousness that
profiteering will not be tolerated, and then to send investigators to get the facts and bring necessary prosecutions against those whose greed has led them to engage in exploiting this national disaster.”

In addition to calling for an investigation into price gouging Rep. Markey has been calling on President to relieve the burden on consumers by releasing oil from the national reserves.

For more information on Rep. Markey’s vision on a national energy policy check out:
http://www.house.gov/markey/

 Letter to DOJ, DOE and FTC, September 2, 2005