"If Congress is looking for someone to investigate over high energy prices, it should start with itself. Republicans in Congress should immediately review the last 40 years of government restrictions on energy production. What they'll find is that government regulations are why not a single new oil refinery has not been built in the United States since 1976. Government regulations enacted by Congress stand in the way of exploration for oil and gas in much of America, including Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Government regulations require different gasoline formulas in different regions of the country, forcing higher prices and decreased production. And government regulations—pushed by leftwing environmental hysterics—have blocked the development of safe, non-polluting sources of nuclear energy. We could have lower gas prices if Congress didn't make exploration and production so expensive. And we would have more energy independence if government didn't stand in the way of tapping domestic sources of energy. So the next time you hear a politician complain about who's responsible for the high price of gas, tell him: 'Congressman, investigate thyself'."

—Newt Gingrich