05.27.05

Cantwell Releases Report Showing High Gas Prices Will Hit Washington Families Hard This Summer

High Gas Prices Will Cost Average Washington Family $260 More This Summer than in 2003

WASHINGTON , D.C. – As the busy Memorial Day travel weekend begins, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released a new government report Friday showing that summer gas prices will continue to hit Washington state families hard. Cantwell charged that the report, which shows that higher gas prices could cost the average Washington family an additional $260 this summer, is further proof that America needs to reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

"During the summer travel season, Washington state families face an increasingly tough reality at the pump," said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "Higher gas prices means families are making sacrifices and pinching pennies to deal with the reality of expensive traveling costs."

The report released by Cantwell shows that average gasoline prices in Washington state have increased 55 percent over the past two years. As of yesterday, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Washington state was $2.39, an 85 cent jump from 2003.

In addition, the report projects that Washington drivers will pay an additional $580 million for gas this spring and summer. This increase would cost the average Washington state driver an additional $130 between April 1 and September 30. The typical two-car family in Washington would spend an extra $260 over the same period.

Cantwell requested the report, which was prepared by the minority staff of the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform.

"These price hikes should send a strong wake-up call to the president and congressional leaders: we cannot continue to rely on foreign oil when cleaner, home-grown alternatives are available," Cantwell added. "Expansion of biofuels, produced from crops grown in the North west, will ease the burden on consumers while creating jobs right here in Washington state."

Cantwell led an effort this week in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to dramatically expand biofuels production in Washington state and around the nation. Added to the Senate's new energy bill, Cantwell's measure supports the production of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel from new crops in more diverse regions of the country.

Cantwell was also successful in getting the Senate to approve more accurate gas mileage stickers on new cars so consumers can make better-informed decisions when

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