Summer 2006

Dear Connecticut Motorist: 

{Photo of Governor M. Jodi Rell}

As I travel the state, I have heard the growing frustration in people’s voices when it comes to the unaffordable high price of gasoline. It seems like every time Connecticut motorists, including me, go to the gas pumps, prices increase another few cents. We are forced to stand helplessly as gas prices set new highs in Connecticut.

As of the end of July, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline reached $3.22 in Connecticut – nearly one dollar more than the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas one year ago at this time. You are right to be frustrated – I am too.

In fact, I recently urged Exxon Mobil Corp to return a portion of their $10.36 billion second quarter profits to the consumer like you feeling the financial pain at the pumps. (By clicking on the links below, you can see the other action I proposed to help fight for lower gas prices.)

Frankly, we are doing our part in Connecticut. We need action from the federal government to help minimize the negative impact these soaring prices are having on Connecticut families, businesses and our state government’s operations.

This means urging the Bush Administration and Congress to take immediate action in creating a national energy policy to help find alternative and renewable energy sources to break our country’s dependence on expensive foreign oil. Energy independence and alternative energy solutions should lead to lower gas prices, more fuel options and a cleaner environment.

The purpose of our petition is to also urge the Bush Administration and Congress to revisit our call to lift the 54-cent-a-gallon tariff on imported ethanol to help lower gas prices and investigate the constant upward spiral in the cost of a gallon of gas.

Click on the link below to access the online form to include your name with many others who want to be a part of the petition to urge Washington to take immediate action when it comes to creating a national energy policy.

Sincerely,

M. Jodi Rell

Governor