[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 26427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                              NATURAL GAS

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I note that the Energy Committee is 
contemplating a hearing on Tuesday on the spiraling price increases 
associated with natural gas. We are seeing a situation in existence now 
where we have terminated trading, for a portion of yesterday at least, 
in natural gas. I am told that natural gas was selling for about $2.16 
per thousand cubic feet about 9 months ago. Last month it was $5.40; $7 
last week. Yesterday it hit a high of $8.80. We really have a crisis 
developing in this country, not only from the standpoint of the 
adequacy of our natural gas supplies to meet our electric generation 
requirements but home heating as well, inasmuch as 50 percent of the 
homes in the United States are heated by gas.
  I thank my colleague from Washington, Senator Murray, for the time 
she allotted me. I wish the Chair a good day and my good friend from 
Washington as well.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington is recognized.

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