Sen. Susan Collins got her answer about the Labor Day spike in gasoline prices. Remarkably, it’s exactly the same answer that the industry already had rolled out – and rolls out every time prices make a big jump in a short time. We’re not satisfied.

In late August and early September, gas prices rose by 25 cents a gallon, to as much as $1.81, in just a few days. Collins asked the Department of Energy to investigate the circumstances of the hike.

According to Guy Caruso, an administrator for the federal Energy Information Administration, the increased prices were due to “a confluence of events that constrained gasoline supplies at the same time demand was reaching record levels.” Included in the litany of events: the Blackout of 2003, a broken pipeline in Arizona and refinery problems in California and the Midwest.

Collins called the report “encouraging,” especially a prediction for lower prices that it included. We’re not nearly as encouraged.

Collins also said she would continue to scrutinize the situation. She better.

When the producers and suppliers of gasoline release their profit reports, we hope they will receive the attention they deserve. That might be the first place to look as Collins continues to monitor the situation.

In the past two weeks, sabotage disabled a major oil pipeline in Iraq, Hurricane Isabel shut down shipping lanes and ports along the East Coast and shut power off to millions. Luckily, there was no spike in gas prices. But maybe that’s because prices remain around $1.75 per gallon.

Collins received plenty of positive attention when she asked her question. Now, the work begins to get a real answer.
A good start
The Blaine House Conference on the Creative Economy is coming to Bates Mill. Welcome to Lewiston-Auburn.

We hope the 500 or so attendees will take a look around a see what’s going on here.

The idea behind the conference is to help replace lost manufacturing jobs with jobs that traffic in creativity and new ideas, such as artists, Web designers, architects and musicians.

“It is my hope that this initiative will lead Maine to a deeper understanding of the creative economy and the potential of it,” Gov. John Baldacci said in March. “The future prosperity of Maine depends on a highly educated and diverse workforce.”

We don’t have to be convinced about that. The state must react to a changing economic climate to be prosperous. The May 7 conference is supposed to develop strategies and polices to encourage Baldacci’s dream of a new economy. We hope it succeeds.

But in our minds, bringing 500 state opinion leaders to Lewiston-Auburn and educating them about the ongoing renaissance of the Twin Cities – the area’s dedication to the arts and redevelopment – already makes the conference a partial success.
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