| Senator claims oil companies for gas prices { May 26 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.pjstar.com/news/local/b34g8spn049.htmlhttp://www.pjstar.com/news/local/b34g8spn049.html
Durbin criticizes Bush for high gasoline prices Illinois senator urges consumers to demand better gas mileage
May 26, 2004 By HYACYNTH FILIPPI
of the Journal Star
PEORIA HEIGHTS - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin criticized the Bush administration Tuesday for record-high gas prices while visiting the Heights 66 gas station.
Armed with bright blue posters detailing the current national average gas price at $2.01 per gallon, Durbin proposed possible solutions to relieve the stress businesses and families are feelings from the extraordinarily high fuel prices.
"The president needs to get on the phone with the OPEC nations and remind them that American troops are risking their lives every day to bring peace to the Middle East," said Durbin, D-Ill.
He was particularly concerned with Illinois gas retailing higher than the national average, at $2.08 per gallon. The Bush administration should pressure OPEC and other oil-bearing nations to increase production, he said, and proposed that the government delay deliveries to specific petroleum reserves when prices are abnormally high.
The senator urged Americans to conserve oil and stand up to car manufacturers, demanding better fuel mileage for vehicles. Durbin expressed his disapproval of gas-guzzling vehicles and said tax breaks should be offered to those who produce and buy fuel-efficient cars.
"Why wouldn't we give a tax incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars? I think we ought a do it," he said. "If we don't change the market, we'll be more dependent on foreign countries for fuel."
Durbin pointed the finger at corporate oil companies, which he said are taking advantage of the situation, using it to profit. He said some major oil companies are seeing record profit margins. ExxonMobile's profits are up 125 percent, while British Petroleum's have increased by 165 percent. Chevron - Texaco, however, increased the most, by 294 percent, the senator said.
Steve Cady, manager of the Heights 66 station at Lake and Prospect streets, said his store hasn't seen a profit increase as a result of the gas hike.
"The percent of markup is less than a percent and a half," Cady said.
Cady decided to host the news conference in hopes of bringing something positive to Peoria Heights and helping spread the word about how to lower fuel prices.
Peoria Heights Mayor Earl Carter welcomed Durbin because he has ideas on how to remedy a concern facing Peorians and the community.
"We have a lot of different businesses, and they all depend on fuel," Carter said. "When people start putting all their money in the gas tank, they can't afford to do anything else."
May 26, 2004
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