President Biden is facing pressure from a prominent Arizona Democrat to take action on the soaring gas prices affecting the state. Rep. Ruben Gallego, the likely Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Arizona, penned a letter to Biden, urging him to provide relief for Western states grappling with high fuel costs.
Gallego highlighted the disparity in gas prices between Arizona and other states, emphasizing that Arizona residents should not have to bear significantly higher costs to commute and conduct daily activities. The average gas price in Arizona stands at $3.67 per gallon, notably above the national average of $3.47.
While Biden recently authorized the release of over 1 million barrels of gasoline from the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve to alleviate prices in the Northeast, Gallego stressed the need for similar measures in the Western United States. He pointed out the challenges Arizona faces in transporting gas due to limited pipeline capacity and regulatory constraints.
Expressing disappointment over the ongoing price gap, Gallego called for sustained efforts from the administration to ensure equitable relief for Arizona and other Western states. He urged Biden to maintain parity in addressing gas prices throughout the summer to prevent Arizonans from shouldering the burden of high fuel costs alone.
Gallego's plea underscores the urgency of addressing the economic impact of gas prices on Arizona residents and businesses, signaling a growing demand for targeted interventions to mitigate the financial strain caused by the current fuel pricing dynamics.