I know that high gas prices are a serious burden on Nevadans, and I am working hard on this important issue.  Americans from Las Vegas to New York City are suffering every time they go to the pump, and our national security continues to be compromised by our dependence of foreign oil.

I believe we can change our future and make America energy independent by 2020. We want to rely on American ingenuity and know-how. And we want to give Americans relief from rising gas prices while making our country more secure. Oversight is crucial to make sure families aren’t becoming victims of Big Oil’s big profits.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, gas prices have shot up once again. But let’s remember - - prices were rising significantly even before the Hurricane.

Just a few days before the storm made landfall, the average national retail price of a  gallon of regular gas was $2.61 - over 82 cents more per gallon more than the year before. That’s a huge 30 percent increase, and that increase is eating away at the savings and disposable income of America’s families.  

Now, the average national price of gas is even higher - $2.92 per gallon.  Coincidentally, that’s about what families are paying in Pahrump. Perhaps not coincidentally, while families pay that record price, oil company profits have shot up.

In fact, according to an Oil Daily report before Katrina hit, the ten major oil companies are on pace to post an astounding $100 billion plus in profits in 2005.

The industry continues to rake in the profits, while doing nothing to make the price of gas more stable. In fact, it’s been thirty years since anyone in the industry opened up a refinery and increased production.

I have been especially concerned lately that Nevadans have been forced to pay record gas prices while oil companies and refineries are reaping record profits. For example, in the second quarter of 2005 ExxonMobil reported a 32 percent increase in profits from the year before, to $7.64 billion. BP reported a 37 percent increase in profits to $5.84 billion and Shell had a 35 percent increase in profits, to $5.34 billion. 

I intend to work with state officials and companies to find ways to increase gas supplies to Nevada. Americans can’t keep paying record prices without jeopardizing their family’s future.

Democrats have real plans to look into skyrocketing gas prices. We have a commitment to oversight, and we have a long-term vision for energy independence by the year 2020.

We know America can do better than watching families fall victim to the endless cycle of rising gas prices.