Minnesota Democrats in Congress have all lined up behind a measure they say could provide some measure of relief from future spikes in gas prices like the one that hit the state last month. The plan would require refineries to report their maintenance schedules to the U.S. Department of Energy, helping to prevent coinciding closures and avert future gas shortages and price spikes. A House bill announced Wednesday mirrors a bill introduced by Minnesota Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken in the U.S. Senate. Among the House sponsors are DFLers Tim Walz, Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison, and Rick Nolan. "While Congress can't dictate the price of fuel, we can put measures in place to help prevent fuel shortages that can lead to price spikes," Walz said. "This is one of those measures."
