“Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Dingell thank you for holding this hearing. We are here today to discuss the relation between gas prices, supply and distribution.

“I like to point out that oil company executives are noticeably absent from this hearing. Oil companies are an integral part of the supply, pricing and distribution chain for gasoline. These companies raked in $110 billion in profits in 2005 and $16 billion in the first three months of 2006. Mr. Chairman, I encourage you to bring the oil company executives before this Committee for a frank discussion about their role in the supply, price and distribution of gasoline.

“I would also like to insert into the record a letter from the Environmental Council of States which is relevant to this discussion. According to the Environmental Council of States, it ‘is unaware of any credible report that concludes that the time States take to review environmental permits has been, or is, a significant impediment to the issuance of refinery permits. We do not believe that such documentation exists.’ This letter directly refutes the premise of refinery legislation recently addressed by the House.

“The Los Angeles Business Journal reported that the average price per gallon of self-service regular gasoline in Los Angeles rose 16 cents this week, to nearly $3.50 a gallon. The price of gasoline in Los Angeles is 91 cents higher than it was a year ago and statewide prices are 81 cents higher than a year ago. Yet our nation’s energy policy has missed the mark.

“The Bush Administration’s energy policy which was developed in secrecy is more than 95 percent implemented, yet has done nothing to reduce gas prices for consumers. Despite President Bush’s statement upon signing H.R. 6 that “Americans will look back on the (energy) bill as a vital step toward a more secure and more prosperous nation,” the price of energy and the lack of reliability continues to hurt working families.

“Transportation costs have increased by more than $1,400 per family – an increase of 75 percent since 2001! School districts across the country are being forced to choose between fueling buses, funding construction, hiring new teachers and taking children on field trips. Yet President Bush’s budget significantly under-funded programs which could help working families and is failing to implement provisions included in H.R. 6 which could be helpful.

“I believe that energy security, jobs and a health workplace and family can co-exist. But the approaches traditionally taken by this Committee try to make us choose between those priorities.

“That is a choice I refuse to make. I believe we need a plan to create American jobs and technology, boost competitiveness, and improve our national and economic security. I hope that some day we can have a real discussion, a real debate, and a real energy policy that serves all Americans, not just corporate America.

“I thank our witnesses for joining us and hope today we can get some straight answers about oil pricing and distribution rather than more speculation. I yield back the balance of my time.”