Ruppersberger to Introduce the Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will introduce cutting-edge energy legislation to combat rising gas prices and increasing pain at the pump.  In Maryland, the average gallon of gasoline is close to $4.  That is up from $2.90 a year ago according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.  Maryland families now pay an average of $5,000 a year on gas.  That’s up from $3,275 when President Bush took office seven years ago.        

The Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act:

• Directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how speculators are driving up the cost of gas in the financial markets and offer recommendations to prevent the practice; 
• Increases the tax credit for consumers who convert their gas or diesel fueled car to an alternative fuel, clean fuel, or fuel cell vehicle;  
• Instructs the Government Accountability Office to study refinery capacity in the United States to determine how capacity affects gas prices and determine if there is collusion among oil companies to keep capacity low and keep prices high;   
• Instructs the Government Accountability Office to determine if federal grants and other federal funding given to oil companies were used to increase energy production or to simply improve the companies’ bottom lines.   

Congressman Ruppersberger will be joined by Maryland families at a press conference on Monday, July 28, 2008, in Timonium, Maryland.  The Congressman will also roll out his recently purchased hybrid vehicle.   

What:  Ruppersberger to Introduce The Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act

When:  10:30 am, Monday, July 28, 2008 

Who:   Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger  
            Maryland Families Hit Hard by Rising Gas Prices
 
Where:   Hughes’ Oceanic Gas Station 
                1501 York Road 
                Timonium, Maryland 21093  

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