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for larger version       Clinton: Examine The Price Of Gasoline Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has called on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine the cause of refinery shutdowns and whether any price gouging is taking place when the Committee holds a hearing on gas prices next Tuesday. In her letter to Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman and Ranking Member Pete V. Domenici, Senator Clinton underscored that the oil companies themselves should be held responsible for their facilities and should not pass the cost of temporary shortages on to consumers. Pointing to recent high refining profits, Senator Clinton stated that refiners should use some of their billions of dollars in excess windfall profits to repair and maintain their refineries without passing on the cost. Senator Clinton also asked the Energy Committee to look at whether stronger inspection and maintenance rules are needed for refineries. "Consumers simply cannot continue to absorb the crippling cost of these rising gas prices. I am very concerned that oil companies are not being held responsible for their own infrastructure and are being allowed to pass shortages on to consumers as price hikes. They should instead use some of their windfall profits to cushion the blow at the pump. I urge the Senate Energy committee to look closely at these issues when they convene hearings next Tuesday so we can get to the bottom of the price spike and take action," Senator Clinton said.
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