Press Releases

Currently showing results related to Gas Prices

. See all results.

August 06, 2009

Wyden Hits Oil Speculators in the Wallet

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In order to reduce excessive speculative trading in oil and natural gas, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a member of both the Senate Finance and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, introduced the Stop Tax-breaks for Oil Profiteering (STOP) Act of 2009 today. The legislation would end tax breaks that non-commercial speculators currently enjoy, and tax all profits at the same rate as ordinary income for tax-paying investors. Oil and gas trading gains would be treated as … Continue Reading


July 31, 2008

Wyden-Grassley Staff Proposes Level Playing Field for Oil Trade

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to reduce excessive speculative trading in oil and other commodities, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) a member of the Senate Finance and Energy Committees and the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are circulating a staff discussion draft of tax fairness legislation today that would end lucrative tax breaks that speculators enjoy by taxing all the profits they earn on the oil commodities market at the same rate as ordinary … Continue Reading


June 24, 2008

Wyden Brings Energy Independence Tour to Medford on July 3rd for Public Forum

Medford, OR - Frustrated with high gas prices? Concerned about buying home heating oil this winter? If you have ideas on what to do about it, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden wants to hear them.Wyden will hold a public forum in Medford on Thursday to listen to what Southern Oregon residents have to say about what the United States can do to become more energy independent. "In Washington we hear all the time from lobbyists and corporations about what we can and can't do about our reliance on foreign … Continue Reading


June 11, 2007

Senator Wyden Blows the Whistle on Under-Investment in Oil Refining and Production

Washington, D.C. - Illustrating how the oil industry's failure to invest in oil production and refining keeps gas prices artificially high, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced his plan today to take tax breaks away from oil companies that do not invest in new refinery capacity and upgrades."The consequences of the oil industry's anti-consumer behavior are clear. When there is less refining capacity, there is less ability to turn oil into gas. When there is less gas, prices go up. When … Continue Reading


December 05, 2006

Wyden Testifies on Strategies to Reduce Gasoline Price Gouging

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a longtime advocate for American consumers hit by unfairly high gasoline prices, testified today before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at a hearing on energy pricing. In a 2004 report, Wyden sharply criticized the Federal Trade Commission for its failure to act on behalf of American consumers when oil company practices caused price spikes; in light of huge price increases following Hurricane Katrina he is suggesting more aggressive measures … Continue Reading


September 19, 2006

Wyden Resolution on President to Push OPEC, Aid Gasoline Consumers

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced a Senate resolution calling on President Bush to pressure OPEC nations to increase oil production to help reduce gasoline prices in the United States. The Wyden resolution mirrors legislation authored in 2000 by the current U.S. Energy Department secretary, then-U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), and the current U.S. Attorney General, then-U.S. Senator John Ashcroft (R-Mo.), calling on the Clinton administration to pressure … Continue Reading


September 19, 2006

Research Shows Law Would Force Majoras to Recuse on some FTC Oil, Gasoline Cases

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today released research from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) indicating that Federal law would require Deborah Majoras, the current nominee to chair the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to recuse herself from some oil and gasoline industry issues coming before the Commission. Majoras has personally represented the oil giant ChevronTexaco as outside counsel in the last year; according to CRS, such a "past association" requires … Continue Reading


September 19, 2006

Senate Majority Blocks Gas Price Relief by Stopping Wyden OPEC Resolution

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today called for immediate consideration of his resolution calling on President Bush to pressure OPEC nations to increase oil production. Senate Republicans subsequently moved to block debate on the measure. The resolution (S. Res. 330) , which Wyden introduced on Friday, mirrors legislation authored in 2000 by the current U.S. Energy Department secretary, then-U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), and the current U.S. Attorney General, … Continue Reading


September 19, 2006

Wyden Calls for Immediate Action by FTC, Congress to Fight Gas Price Spikes

Washington, DC Citing a coming "perfect storm" in gasoline markets that will push prices past today's near-record highs, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today called for immediate action by Congress on the Gasoline Free Market Competition Act (S. 1737), his legislation pushing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect American consumers from anti-competitive practices at the pump. Wyden cited the FTC's inaction to stop gas price spikes, Shell Oil's planned closure of a 70,000-barrel-per-day … Continue Reading


September 19, 2006

Wyden Presses for Lower Gas Prices at Hearing for Federal Trade Nominee

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today indicated that he will continue to block the nomination of Deborah Majoras to head the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), after Majoras failed to offer concrete commitments at her confirmation hearing as to how she would lead the agency to fight high gasoline prices. Wyden has long called on the FTC to stop oil company mergers, refinery closures and anti-competitive gasoline marketing practices that have been proven to drive prices up for … Continue Reading

Showing page 1 of 1