WASHINGTON, DC - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today renewed his call for a 30-day moratorium on state gas-taxes and for an investigation into petroleum price-gouging. Rehberg is a member of the House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee.

          “With a projected surplus, there's no reason why we can't see general revenue funds backfill the cost of temporarily suspending Montana's $.27-per-gallon gasoline tax," Rehberg said, noting widespread support from local leaders for his gasoline tax holiday proposal. “With the cost of gas hovering near $3 a gallon in some places, we owe it to consumers – families and small businesses – to help them weather this price spike, by controlling the government's thirst for their tax dollars.”

           Rehberg also called on local and federal investigators to look in to allegations of price-gouging, noting the energy bill recently approved by Congress empowers the Federal Trade Commission to launch such investigations. Rehberg also today renewed his support for legislation the House is scheduled to debate tomorrow that would streamline the building of new refineries, ensuring steady gasoline supplies to avoid price spikes.

          “I've consistently supported rational legislation allowing investigators to prosecute possible price-gougers, taking advantage of consumers during supply shortages," Rehberg, who helped draft the energy bill, said. “We're also voting tomorrow on a second energy plan that will further strengthen the hand of investigators seeking to go after possible price-gougers, whether oil companies, refiners, suppliers, or service stations.”

           Rehberg, who is behind proposed federal legislation to suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline, last month urged Governor Brian Schweitzer to follow suit at the state level.

           “As a former state legislator and Lieutenant Governor, I am fully aware of Montana’s legal requirement to the state highway trust fund and the need for a state match to receive federal funds. However, Montana currently finds itself with a budget surplus that could be used to provide immediate relief from high fuel prices to our residents without jeopardizing future transportation funding,” Rehberg wrote on September 8. “Montanans need and deserve a break from the high cost of fuel.  Suspending the state fuel taxes and reimbursing the highway fund with general revenue funds will provide Montanans this much needed break.”