WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., on Saturday outlined his party's ideas regarding increasing fuel and heating costs, including anti-price gouging measures.
Dingell delivered the Democratic Party's weekly radio message at the end of a week in which some oil companies reported record profits -- just weeks after hurricanes disrupted oil and natural gas production and drove up energy prices. Also, home heating costs are predicted to increase greatly this winter.
"We have proposed a tough anti-price gouging law," Dingell said. "We also proposed a Strategic Refinery Reserve to build refineries that would help protect our national security and consumers from supply disruptions. Republicans defeated the Democratic proposals on a party-line vote, but Democrats will never stop offering new ideas for America's energy problems."
He said the Democrats wish to increase funding for research into renewable energy sources, but doing so in a way that doesn't harm the environment.
"Democrats believe that investing in energy innovation can move us toward energy independence," Dingell said.
"We must protect consumers against price gouging on gasoline, natural gas, and home heating oil, while fully funding the low-income home energy assistance program."
