Tennessee Families were reeling today as gasoline prices hit an average of $3.127 for a gallon of regular gas in Memphis and $3.168 in Nashville; the highest prices ever according to AAA. Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) was appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. Between her subcommittee assignment, position on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and subcommittee oversight and investigations, Congressman Blackburn will be at the forefront of the most critical junctures of energy and environmental policy in the House. The Energy and Air Quality subcommittee will likely consider comprehensive legislation this fall that impacts every sector of the energy industry, the price at the pump, and development of energy resources to reduce reliance on foreign oil.

Rep. Blackburn expanded on her thoughts on energy policy:

"The country has got to focus on its short term, mid-range, and long term energy challenges. In the short term we must be smart about where we extract and acquire fossil fuels, with an eye toward keeping the price at the pump down. In the mid-range we need to make America energy independent by adopting a market-based approach to alternative fuels. In the long term we must lead the way in developing the next generation of energy sources."