The Federal Trade Commission announced its new and improved
Oil and Gas Industry Initiatives website today. (press release,
May 4, 2006) It looks like a very useful tool for consumers (or
webloggers) who want to do more than whine over gas prices.
Instead, the FTC can help them (a) learn how to reduce their oil,
gas, energy consumption; or (b) become better informed about
pricing and regulatory news concerning the industry (before forming
opinions on those issues). Commission Chairman Deborah Platt
Majoras explains:
We want consumers to have useful information that cuts
through any confusion and helps them understand what is
happening with gas prices. The information on the Web page
will provide users with clear and understandable information
about what experts tell us is currently happening in the
petroleum markets.”
The site’s Overview page states:
“The Federal Trade Commission maintains competition
in the petroleum industry, and has invoked all the powers
at its disposal — including the investigation of possible
antitrust violations, the prosecution of cases, the prepara-
tion of studies, and advocacy before other government
agencies to protect consumers from anticompetitive
conduct and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the
industry. In doing so, the FTC has assembled vast compe-
tition policy and enforcement expertise in matters affecting
the production and distribution of gasoline.
“This website describes the FTC’s oversight of the petroleum
industry, with special sections on our activities related to
merger enforcement, anticompetitive nonmerger activity, and
gasoline price data. It also features reports and economic
working papers, Congressional testimony, advocacy work,
conference proceedings, and studies. Check it often for up-
dates and information on new initiatives.”
Check out the Savings Starts at Home Section, which includes a
new “Garage” e-pamphlet “Fuel Economy: Getting Up to Speed,”
along with information for saving money and reducing energy use
throughout your home.
p.s. update (4 PM): Both Your Editor and his webserver have
been undergoing an energy shortage lately. My personal
excuse can be partly found here. The webserver has been
slower and less reliable than usual, because Harvard webloggers
are en masse moving to a better, faster, more reliable webserver,
thus overwhelming the older one. See Harvard Crimson on the
Webserver Upgrade, May 4, 2006). The f/k/a Gang has been trying
to migrate, too, but this weblog takes up so much server-space
(due to its many images, and possibly its tendency toward pundit
prolixity) that the migration keeps getting stalled. Please excuse
any inconvenient lack of access [and RSS feed problems] while we
try to improve our personal and virtual vitality.
from Mom’s to Dad’s
the clickity-clack
of suitcase wheels
moving day–
warm rain
on cardboard
Christmas Eve–
the hum of power lines
just pass the mall
long dusty road:
I wait by the mailbox
for the cloud
watering the grass–
a smile from the man
who passes by
New Resonance 3: Emerging Voices (Red Moon Press 2003)
“watering the grass” – frogpond XXV: 1
“long dusty road” – frogpond XXIII:2
“moving day” – The Heron’s Nest IV:7
“Christmas eve” – beyond spring rain
“FTCMasthead”
May 4, 2006
ftc unveils its high-test oil and gas info website
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