MOBILE — Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and Republican nominee for Alabama’s first congressional district said he supports the petroleum industry making a profit, but he wants answers as gas prices continue to cause tension across the U.S.
According to AAA, Alabama’s average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.80. Diesel is up to $5.85 per gallon, impacting prices of other goods and services.
As we inch closer to midterm elections, many worry high gas prices could be one issue voters will blame on Republicans. Prices fell in June and early August but have rebounded to an average of over $ 4 per gallon nationwide.
Oil is around $95 a barrel, reportedly higher due to the war involving the U.S. and Iran and low volume traveling through the Straight of Hormuz. The U.S. produces much of its own oil, but since it’s a global commodity, prices reflect worldwide worth.
Carl said the petroleum industry needs to be accountable and urged it to lower prices and be transparent.
“The petroleum industry needs to be fair to consumers,” Carl said. “I am all for companies making profits. I like companies to be healthy. We need all of our American companies healthy. But whether we want to admit or not, we’re at war. And at war times, we have to come together and we all have to give and take a little bit.”
Carl said voters should not blame President Donald Trump.
“We, by nature, we all want to blame somebody. We wanna blame the Republican Party. We want to blame Trump,” Carl said. “We the people have got a responsibility, too. We the people have got to ask our elected officials to say more and do more. We the people have got to stand up and be heard and you do that on Election Day.”
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