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BTL:Soaring Gas Prices, Oil Company Record Profits Incite Calls for...
by Scott Harris Sunday, Apr. 30, 2006 at 9:42 AM
betweenthelines@snet.net (email address validated) BETWEEN THE LINES c/o WPKN Radio 89.5 FM Bridgeport, Connecticut

...Windfall Profits Tax ~ Interview with Tyson Slocum, co-director of the Public Citizen's Energy Program, conducted by Between the Lines' Scott Harris

Soaring Gas Prices, Oil Company Record Profits Incite Calls for Windfall Profits Tax

Interview with Tyson Slocum, co-director of the Public Citizen's Energy Program, conducted by Scott Harris

In mid-April, gas prices in the U.S. soared 25 cents in just two weeks, bringing the average national price for self-serve regular to $2.91 a gallon, although prices topping $3 a gallon were common. President Bush, already reeling from record low approval ratings, felt the sting of intensifying anger across the nation about rising energy prices, and announced his plan to rein in the cost of gas. The president said on April 25 that he'll ask the EPA to temporarily relax clean air regulations which oil companies claim have caused gas shortages in some Northeast states, delay deposits in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve; ordered a federal investigation into possible price gouging and cut some oil company tax breaks.

But consumers, well aware that energy companies like Exxon-Mobil reported the nation's highest-ever profit of $36.1 billion in 2005, are suspicious of the President's cozy relationship with big oil. Republicans who control Congress received 81 percent of the $54 million dollars in political campaign contributions made by big oil companies since 2001.

But election year jitters are causing some GOP congressional legislators to join Democrats in calling for a probe of oil company profits and consideration of a windfall profits tax. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program. He discusses some reasons behind the dramatic rise in gas prices and explains why he supports an oil company windfall profits tax.

Contact Public Citizen at (202) 588-1000 or visit their website at http://www.citizen.org

Related links:

* "Gas Price Gambit," by Tyson Slocum, http://www.tompaine.com, April 20, 2006

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org
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BETWEEN THE LINES c/o WPKN Radio 89.5 FM Bridgeport, Connecticut

I thought you all would like high gas prices
by aaaa Tuesday, May. 02, 2006 at 9:05 PM

I though all of you would want gas prices to sour, the higher it goes the more likly it is people will cut back, or maybe stop driving, if gas prices go up to $20 a gal, there will be no cars on the road, would that not be good for the enviroment?

The Devil (Bush) on Gas Prices
by The Devil (Bush) Tuesday, May. 09, 2006 at 3:44 AM
The Devil (Bush) Went Down To Baghdad And Hell Followed With Him 666-The-Devil Ext. 666 The Bottomless Pit

The Devil (Bush): "Sorry to Oil the Price Gouging, Price Fixing, and the 9-11 Attacks but Oil comes First. Fill her up with some "Cheap" Bush 666 ????????"

When You Deal With The Devil (Bush) There's Hell To Pay

get on your knees and serve ME, asswipe
by one who genuflects Friday, May. 12, 2006 at 9:40 PM

indymedia-oil_640x480.png, image/png, 640x480

Do you spit or swallow, crater face?

one trick pony
by one trick pony Sunday, May. 14, 2006 at 8:57 PM

one trick pony

Recommended Reading
by Scott Card Monday, May. 15, 2006 at 9:05 AM

Is that picture from 'My Pet Goat', or is it from some super secret Kerry/Bush Skull & Bones social night?