My Investigation into Oil Companies and Price Collusion

Dear Neighbors,

I announced an investigation this week into seven oil and gas companies, demanding answers for the behavior of crude oil producers as concerns grow that oil companies are illegally colluding to artificially inflate gas prices. The new probe comes in the wake of recent revelations from a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into Scott Sheffield, the former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources Company, who allegedly attempted to illegally coordinate crude oil production levels with OPEC and his competitors in order to drive up prices at the pump and rake in additional profits.

I am concerned that this behavior may represent common practices across the industry as reports have suggested. Simply put, I am worried that these actions are actually an industry-standard practice — directly contradicting what the largest oil companies, including Pioneer and Exxon, testified to my Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress.

If U.S. oil companies are colluding with each other and foreign cartels to manipulate global oil markets and harm American consumers who then pay more at the pump, Congress and the American people deserve to know. Read more here

My New Bill to Preserve AM Radio in Cars

I was in Sayreville this week to announce the introduction of new legislation to preserve AM radio in cars. The bill would require car manufacturers to install devices capable of receiving AM radio signals in all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States at no additional cost to consumers. It advanced through my Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday.

AM Radio stations play a critical role in our nation’s communications network, which is why I remain concerned that some automakers plan to phase out AM radio. When Superstorm Sandy pummeled New Jersey over ten years ago, some of my constituents went days without power and telephone and internet connections. In the aftermath of the storm, they relied on broadcast AM radio stations – often in their vehicles – to get up-to-the-minute information like where to get water, gas, and groceries. As the next generation of cars are developed, it’s critical that AM radio access remains standard equipment offered at no additional cost, and that’s exactly what my legislation does. Read more here

Student Veterans in New Jersey Deserve Better

I sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) this week to express concern about reports of communication failures and a general lack of responsiveness by Education Liaison Representatives at VA Regional Offices in New Jersey and across the country. I urged the VA Secretary to address these concerns and take meaningful steps to ensure veterans and their families receive the educational benefits they earned.

The purpose of the VA is to serve our nation’s veterans and deliver benefits they earned in a reliable and equitable manner. There are too many instances of a lack of communication from the VA to federally funded higher education institutions on important matters relating to veterans’ education programs. Our nation’s veterans and universities should not have to jump through bureaucratic hurdles to speak with VA representatives and access educational benefits. Read more here

New Jersey to Receive Federal Funding to Clean Up Brownfields Sites

New Jersey will receive $3 million to clean up Brownfields sites. The Monmouth Conservation Foundation will receive $500,000 to conduct an environmental site assessment and develop cleanup and reuse plans for 210 acres in Red Bank. The project will prioritize the Red Bank Landfill and surrounding areas.

It’s great to see that New Jersey is benefitting from funding I included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress and is helping communities across our state repurpose the land and return it to good use. This announcement will help build on our progress to clean up and revitalize these contaminated sites so we can generate new jobs and economic opportunities.

Click here to visit my website or call my offices directly if you have questions or need help with a federal agency:

Middlesex County: 732-249-8892

Monmouth County: 732-571-1140

Sincerely,

Congressman Pallone