PRESS RELEASE
April 8, 2008

Majority Seeks State Investigation Into Gas Prices

Members of the majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature supported a resolution at the April 8 legislative meeting calling for the State Attorney General to investigate possible crude oil price gouging that may be the cause of skyrocketing gas prices, said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

Republican county legislators said they are concerned that without an investigation gas prices will only continue to increase during the spring and summer months, when car travel increases.

The increases in recent months have meant gas prices have approached $3.50 per gallon throughout upstate New York. Those increases have meant a dramatic financial strain on upstate residents and businesses.

“Residents simply cannot afford another increase in gas prices. There needs to be a careful and thorough investigation about those increases as soon as possible,” said Kelleher.

“Gasoline prices have been on a steady climb for several months, and if history is any indicator, those prices will continue to increase during the warmer months. That would mean a bad situation would be getting much worse,” added Legislator Mike Stammel.

Past investigations and oversight by consumer advocates and Attorney Generals have helped stabilize gasoline prices. Kelleher and majority legislators said they are hopeful Attorney Generals from across the state would join in a national effort to investigate the spike in gas prices.

“A concerted effort by Attorney Generals across the state would send a very clear and effective message to the oil companies that their actions with regard to crude oil prices are being watched very closely,” said Legislator Martin Reid, chairman of the Legislature’s Local Government Committee.

The resolution was passed unanimously at the April 8 legislative meeting. The resolution will now be sent to the Attorney General and representatives of Rensselaer County in the State Legislature.

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