Durbin: Time To Open Strategic Oil Reserve
DARIEN, Ill. (WBBM) -- Memorial Day is behind us and gas prices are still rising, and now, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says it's time to take the drastic step of dipping into the strategic oil reserve.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mary Francis Bragiel reports, with gasoline prices jumping as much as 20 cents in one day, Durbin says President Barack Obama has no choice but to open the strategic oil reserve, because oil companies are not responsive to consumer needs.
"We've called on the president to do that. Most presidents don't want to, and this president doesn't want to. They want to save it for a true national emergency – like, God forbid, a Middle East war, or whatever it happens to be," Durbin said. "But I'm worried."
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports
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Durbin is worried because he believes the current state of the economy could linger for quite a while.
Analysts say Chicago currently has the most expensive gasoline prices of any major city, due to refinery problems.
