Today’s gasoline prices are taking a severe toll on the pocketbooks of all Americans.

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, increased demand from China and India , as well as the devaluation of the dollar. In addition, oil and gasoline prices will rise even further as the summer driving season progresses.

Meanwhile, for 2007, Exxon Mobil Corp. broke the record (again) for the largest annual profit by a U.S. company --$40.6 billion -- as the world's biggest publicly traded oil company benefited from historic crude prices at the end of the year. It just isn’t right that big oil companies are profiting more than ever, yet keep raising prices, while receiving extra tax breaks.

That’s why the House voted twice to repeal $14 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for big oil companies in order to invest in clean renewable energy and alternative fuels and energy efficiency. The Senate, however, could not garner enough votes to send this bill to the President.

Rising gas prices, coupled with oil companies posting large profits, has raised concerns over potential price gouging on the energy markets. Constituents concerned about potential price gouging can report incidents to the Department of Energy or the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division at 1-800-432-2310.

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.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you!