First Reply Received

I've received my first reply from a Congressman. Here is Senator Ron Wyden's response in full:

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns and frustrations about high gasoline prices in Oregon. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Like many Americans, I am alarmed by soaring prices at the pump and the financial burden that energy costs are placing on families, individuals, and businesses. The dramatic increase in the price of gasoline and diesel fuel is caused by many factors including deliberate manipulation of world oil supplies by the OPEC oil cartel, the falling value of the U.S. dollar, and by speculation in the financial and commodity trading markets. I understand the burden high gas prices are placing on all Americans and I want you to know I will continue my efforts to provide relief for consumers at the gas pump.

I have been active in congressional efforts address this problem of gas prices in several ways. In the 110th Congress, for example, I supported legislation to temporarily stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This legislation, which President Bush signed into law, will increase the supply of oil available to US markets and help drive down prices. Additionally, I have cosponsored or supported several pieces of legislation granting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) more authority to oversee speculative trading of oil, gasoline, and other energy commodities. The first piece closed a loophole created by Enron and other energy traders in 2000 to exempt electronic trading platforms from CFTC regulation. I am also presently working with my Finance Committee colleague, Senator Charles Grassley, to rewrite tax laws and remove incentives for financial investors to speculate in oil and gas trading and drive up prices at the pump.

In the longer term, America must reduce our dependence on oil by enacting higher vehicular fuel economy standards and by developing alternative forms of energy. To this end, I was proud to support energy legislation in 2007 that raised fuel economy standards for the first time in a generation. This landmark legislation will increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for cars and light trucks. Though I continue to advocate for more rigorous standards, this bill is a critical step and will make a real difference in American gasoline consumption. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, please rest assured that I will continue to look for innovative ways to lowering costs at the pump while producing more and cleaner energy domestically. As I do so, I will keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of your interest in this issue. If I may be of further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.

It is always good to see that our representatives will, at the very least reply to us, but you will notice that Senator Wyden failed to speak to the central premise of my inquiry. At no point did he address the fact that oil prices don't seem to corrolate to gas prices.

Senator Wyden, I contend that the "deliberate manipulation" is occurring at the American gas pump and not only on the international oil market. I used to work in an office building that overlooked a gas station. I've watched gasoline prices change on an hour by hour basis at that gas station. No fuel truck came to fill the in-ground gas tanks. So the service station owner did not experience any change in costs. Therefore, if the gas station operator paid a certain price for that gas stored in those underground tanks what makes it suddenly worth more? Senator Wyden I ask that you press for real hearings into the gouging of the American consumer by the oil companies. I ask that you do it now and do it relentlessly until those companies understand that we the people will no longer be oppressed at the pump.

We are pissed off and just not going to take it any more!