State lawmakers call for action as gas prices soar

Members of both parties are calling on Attorney General Dave Sunday to investigate the rapid rise.

The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have led to a noticeable rise in gas prices across Pennsylvania, prompting some state lawmakers to call for an investigation into these increases.

Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel on Monday as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummeling financial markets. The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged to $119.50 per barrel early in the day but later was trading above $101 per barrel, up 9%.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil — about 20% of the world’s oil — are typically shipped every day through the Strait of Hormuz, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy. The threat of Iranian missile and drone attacks has all but stopped tankers carrying oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran from traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran.

According to AAA, in the Pittsburgh metro region, the current average for regular gas is $3.746, compared to $3.238 a week ago.

Jim Garrity, director of public affairs for AAA East Central, explained that oil is 50 to 60% of what people spend when they go to fill up at the pump, which causes the fluctuations in prices.

“Compared to two weeks ago, when oil was trading in the $60 range, today, it opened at over $100, the first time that it’s done that since the Russia-Ukraine situation in 2022, which is also the last time that we saw prices increase as drastically as they’re doing right now,” Garrity said.

Garrity noted that the interconnected oil markets also explain the increase in gas prices.

“Even though in America, we do not import Iranian oil, oil is a globally traded commodity. So when there’s a splash across the world, the ripples make their way all across the planet, and that’s why we’re seeing oil go up,” he said.

State Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth, said the immediate change in gas prices does not make sense GAS PRICES •A2

“It’s unfortunate that we see price gouging, and I think that’s what’s happening here.”

STATE REP. ANDREW KUZMA and called for state Attorney General Dave Sunday to investigate.

“It’s unfortunate that we see price gouging, and I think that’s what’s happening here,” Kuzma said. “I don’t think that what’s going on in the Middle East right now could have that much of an effect that immediately.

“As we have seen with the rising gas prices, some over 50, 60, 70 cents a gallon, in a matter of days. I don’t think that the conflict going on over in the Middle East right now has that immediate of an impact, and I think that the attorney general should look into it.”

Kuzma added that Pennsylvania should also take a closer look at its gas tax. According to the U.S. Tax Foundation, the state has the fourth-highest gas tax in the country at 58.7 cents per gallon.

“It is totally unfair for those that are on a fixed income, middle-class families, hard-working families, to have to pay an enormous amount of gas tax whenever surrounding states don’t have it,” Kuzma said. “I just think that it’s unfortunate that it takes price gouging for us to look at the price of gas and the costs at the pump, but I think that we as legislators need to take a pretty serious look at abolishing the gas tax.”

Despite his concerns with rising fuel prices, Kuzma said he fully supports the ongoing war with Iran.

“What’s taking place in the Middle East right now has been the single greatest action since 1979 whenever we had our embassy taken, and whenever we had the hostages in Iran, we have had nothing but problems with Iran, not just for the United States, but the entire world,” Kuzma added. “I am totally in favor of exhibiting strength and exhibiting leadership with our allies in that region and with Israel and taking out the regime and moving the whole region towards a greater sense of stability, a greater place of stability.”

Kuzma noted that the war represents an investment for the country.

“If that means that we have to address the gas tax back in Pennsylvania or we have to put up with higher gas prices in the interim, I don’t mind making an investment if it’s going to pay off in the long run. And I think that this investment is something that will pay for itself in the future.”

State Reps. Joe Ciresi and Jim Haddock, both Democrats from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, also called for the state attorney general to address the increasing gas prices.

“As soon as the first bomb struck in Iran, gas stations across our state hiked up their prices, not even batting an eye to the fact that the gas in their tanks were already bought and paid for,” both legislators said in a joint statement. “Now, Pennsylvanians will have to figure out not only how to put food on the table, but how to get to the grocery store in the first place — and this is after costs have been rising faster than worker pay.

“We are calling on Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Consumer Advocate, to investigate these price hikes. In a time of such uncertainty, Pennsylvanians should be able to afford to go where they need to go.”

Savings

Garrity said gas prices may keep rising if the war with Iran continues, but offered suggestions to help people save on gas.

“I think at AAA we would recommend that you’re just being mindful about saving gas money where you can, lessen the load in your car, not speeding, because when you speed, you’re burning fuel less efficiently and putting yourself in harm’s way,” he said.

Garrity said a AAA survey found that when gas prices begin to rise, Americans don’t cancel their vacations, but they begin to adjust their daily behaviors so they can make more room in their budgets. Garrity added that using any rewards program at gas stations can help to lessen the burden at the gas pump.

“Make sure your vehicle is maintained properly, because if it is, it’s going to perform to the most efficient level it can,” he said. “But when it comes to speeding, every five miles over 50 miles an hour, we have found at AAA, that you are decreasing your fuel efficiency, and it only gets worse the faster you’re going.

“That can even apply to things like when you’re at a red light, and you hit the gas pedal, not jamming on the gas pedal, no jackrabbit starts, easing into it, little things like that, save up pennies, and over time, those pennies turn into dollars.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.