Services > High Gas Prices

Today’s gasoline prices are taking a severe toll on the pocketbooks of all Americans. As we are all well aware, the increasing cost of gasoline is affecting not only our transportation costs, but also the prices of our food and other household items.

Energy experts believe that the ongoing spike in gas prices is being caused by the continued instability in oil producing nations such as Iran, Iraq, Venezuela and Nigeria, reduced refinery capacity, and increased demand from China and India, as well as the devaluation of the dollar.

Our current energy needs necessitate our dependence on foreign oil, which threatens both our economic and national security. Therefore, it is a critical matter of economic and national security importance for our nation to commit to the goal of reducing our dependence on oil from undemocratic and politically volatile nations. Through investing in energy efficiency and alternative energy sources, our nation can not only achieve this goal but create new economic opportunity, prosperity and security.

In the meantime, however, we can individually take steps to address rising demand. Here are a few simple gas saving tips:

  • planning and combining trips (several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multi-purpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm);
  • avoid excessive idling;
  • drive sensibly and observe the speed limit;
  • remove excess weight by limiting unnecessary items in your vehicle;
  • keep your engine properly tuned;
  • check and replace air filters regularly;
  • keep tires properly inflated; and
  • use the recommended grade of motor oil.

More information is also available here:

In addition, if you are concerned about potential price gouging, you can report incidents to the Department of Energy or the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division at 1-800-432-2310.

To read more about my thoughts on other issues, such as combating global warming or protecting our environment, please visit my issue pages.