Roy Blunt Lends A Hand To Talent's Cronies At Big Oil

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There have been lots of discussions lately about the rising price of gas. The problem is often explained as a lack of refining capacity, which the GOP blames on radical environmentalists. Raw Story has now published internal oil company memos from the late '90's, that reveal that Big Oil made a conscious decision to reduce refining capacity to drive up the price of gasoline to ensure larger profits. Here's a blurb from a Texaco memo with an idea for driving up demand for gas, and therefore the price:

"...This results in very poor refinery margins, and very poor refinery financial results. Significant events need to occur to assist in reducing supplies and/or increasing the demand for gasoline. One example of a significant event would be the elimination of mandates for oxygenate additions to gasoline. Given a choice, oxygenate usage would go down, and gasoline supplies would go down accordingly."

This was specifically proposed as a way to drive up the price of gas and to increase the profitability of the oil companies. So, who do you suppose rushes in to try to help Big Oil with their plan to drive up gas prices even higher? None other than Rep. Roy Blunt (R-K Street). Here's part of Blunt's latest proposal:

"Suspending nationally the EPA reformulated gasoline program’s oxygenate mandate..."

Remember, this was part of the oil companies plan to DRIVE UP the cost of gas. While I am sure the oil companies appreciate the help, consumers would appreciate it if Roy didn't come up with any more big ideas.

More:

http://www.firedupmissouri.com/talent_texaco_blunt