Washington, DC  -  The Federal Government should continue allowing access to oil reserves from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help offset potential spikes in gas prices resulting from Hurricane Rita, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

Rogers said the storm, which is heading for landfall this weekend, is another major disaster waiting to happen and could pass over many of the nation’s largest oil producing areas and refineries.

“Once again, our nation is facing a potentially devastating hurricane. While our first priority must be to protect or evacuate those in the path of the storm, we must also consider the impact on gas prices this natural disaster could cause.”

Rogers says making additional oil available to the market makes sense, especially given the current high prices resulting from Hurricane Katrina.

“It is essential we do everything we can – now - to cushion Alabama motorists from any additional pain at the pump,” Rogers said. “While we still don’t know the damage Hurricane Rita could cause, we should act now to anticipate any problems and minimize the impact on hard working Alabama families, small businesses, and seniors.”

Rogers said he sent a letter to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman today urging him to continue allowing access to the SPR. “I strongly encourage you to continue allowing the use of the SPR as a short-term solution to help minimize the pain at the pump,” Rogers wrote.

Rogers added while use of the SPR is one solution for helping address short-term price spikes, the longer term solution to rising gas prices includes building new refineries and finding alternate sources of energy.