CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today sent a letter to President Bush and Congressional leaders urging them to take action to investigate and address skyrocketing gasoline prices.

"These price hikes are hurting New Hampshire families, who are struggling to stretch their budgets further and further, and hurting the ability of our businesses to grow and succeed. I fear that my state's economy, as well as the national economy, will suffer because of ever increasing fuel costs," Gov. Lynch wrote.

"There are no significant weather events to explain the spike in gas prices. There is no significant change in international events to explain the spike in gas prices. We do know, however, that oil companies are again likely to record profits," Gov. Lynch wrote. "I urge you to join together to investigate the causes of these price spikes; to press the oil industry to re-invest profits in addressing refinery capacity issues to ensure stability in the future; and to define and penalize gas-price gouging."

The Governor also asked the federal government to be more proactive in encouraging the use of renewable energy.

In the letter, Gov. Lynch pointed out New Hampshire is taking action to address our energy needs. The Governor has set a goal of ensuring 25 percent of our energy comes from renewable sources by 2025. Helping the state achieve that goal, Gov. Lynch recently signed into law the Renewable Energy Act, which will provide incentives for energy suppliers to use renewable energy sources, strengthening New Hampshire's energy independence. Gov. Lynch has also directed state agencies to improve energy efficiency through an Executive Order.

"The citizens of New Hampshire, and people across the country, are struggling because of rising gas prices. States, like New Hampshire, are working to address our country's energy issues, but this problem cannot be solved without the federal government," Gov. Lynch wrote. "I urge you to join together to take action.

The text of Gov. Lynch's letter follows.

# # #

May 25, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

The Honorable Harry Reid The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader Minority Leader
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear President Bush, Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Pelosi and Representative Boehner:

I join my fellow governors from across the nation in urging the federal government to take bipartisan action to investigate escalating gas prices across the country. These price hikes are hurting New Hampshire families, who are struggling to stretch their budgets further and further, and hurting the ability of our businesses to grow and succeed. I fear that my state's economy, as well as the national economy, will suffer because of ever increasing fuel costs.

Here in New Hampshire, we are taking action to address our energy needs. I have just signed into law the Renewable Energy Act, which will help meet my goal of ensuring 25 percent of our state's energy comes from renewable sources by 2025. We have opened the state's first bio-diesel station. I have issued an executive order directing state agencies to improve energy efficiency, and we are assisting our businesses in becoming more energy efficient. Our Consumer Protection Division has been vigilant about investigating any allegations about oil price gouging.

The problem, however, is not with New Hampshire's local gas stations; this is a national issue and demands national action.

There are no significant weather events to explain the spike in gas prices. There is no significant change in international events to explain the spike in gas prices. We do know, however, that oil companies are again likely to see record profits.

I urge you to join together to investigate the causes of these price spikes; to press the oil industry to re-invest profits in addressing refinery capacity issues to ensure stability in the future; and to define and penalize gas-price gouging.

I also urge the federal government to take action, as New Hampshire and so many states are already doing, to expand our nation's use of renewable energy - which will increase our nation's energy independence, stabilize fuel costs into the future, and help stem global warming. In addition, the federal government should provide greater funding of the Weatherization and State Energy Programs to bring about meaningful reductions in our nation's energy usage.

The citizens of New Hampshire, and people across the country, are struggling because of rising gas prices. States, like New Hampshire, are working to address our country's energy issues, but this problem cannot be solved without the federal government. I urge you to join together to take action.

Sincerely,

John H. Lynch
Governor of New Hampshire