The legislators expressed their concern that prices would rise further and faster, should yet another refinery break down or should a transportation disturbance occur. Earlier this year, during a March 15 meeting between EPA Administrator Whitman, DOE Secretary Abraham and a bipartisan group of Members of the Wisconsin and Illinois congressional delegations, legislators received a commitment from the EPA for an upward adjustment of the VOC standard to make the blending of RFG cheaper and easier. At the same meeting, the EPA agreed to permit refiners to mix winter and summer blends of RFG II in their tanks, during the transition between RFG winter and summer blends. The meeting the legislators requested in today's letter would address outstanding issues related to both of these agreements. We need to be sure the administration is doing all it can to find out the cause of the high gas prices so that we can prevent price shocks.
Supply is much too tight in our area right now, and it's pushing gas prices through the roof.
For most people, affordable gasoline is not a luxury. Not only can folks not afford two bucks a gallon, these high prices threaten our entire state economy. They deserve answers and solutions to this problem, which is why I signed on to the letter to Administrator Whitman and Secretary Abraham. Among other things, we have requested a meeting with them to discuss the need for flexibility in dealing with federal regulations. As I travel around my district, the high price of gas is one of the first topics of conversation and one of my constituents' primary concerns.