President Bush this week met with members of congress to promote his four part energy plan in effort to address Americans concerns over high gas prices.

An overview of the President's four part plan on energy:

Treat Americans Fairly at the Pump
The President has directed the FTC to work with Department of Energy to investigate unfair practices such as cheating or price manipulation. Repeal Energy Company Tax Breaks - Due to record cash flows the President is proposing cutting 2 Billion in tax incentives over the next ten years for energy companies. Companies such focus on putting their profits in increased capacity and R&D for alternatives.

Promote Greater Fuel Efficiency
Under the new The Energy Policy Act hybrids and clean diesels may qualify for tax incentives of up to $3400. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards for light trucks have been increased from 20.7 miles per gallon when the President took office to 24 miles per gallon in 2011.

Boost Our Supplies Of Crude Oil And Gasoline
The President has directed the Department of Energy to defer filling the Reserve this summer, he has also directed the EPA to waive clean air standards for specific areas/regions when the need arises; additionally, create a task force to standardize gas mixes, streamline the permitting process for refinery improvements, push offshore oil projects and projects in the artic Reserve.

Invest in Alternatives to Oil
Call for support of the Advanced Energy initiative, increasing our use of ethanol, improving hybrid vehicles, and develop hydrogen technology. Invest in alternatives such as ethanol and bio-diesel. The President's budget for next year provides $31 million to speed up research into advanced battery technologies - a 27-percent increase over current levels for use ion next generation hybrids.

On the other side of the aisle the House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi, made a CSPAN speech last week:

"Remember one thing, if you want to be energy independent and Democrats intend to achieve that within 10 years and if you want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and therefore improve our national security situation, you can't do it if you're a Republican because you are too wedded to the oil companies. We have two oilmen in the White House. The logical follow-up from that is $3-a-gallon gasoline. There is no accident. It is a cause and effect... a cause and effect."

Her recent record on Energy:
- Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries.
- Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy.
- Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy.
- Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels.
- Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR.
- Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol.
- Regulate wholesale electricity & gas prices.
- Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it.

Rhetoric and party affiliation aside, there may underlying financial reasons to keep gas prices higher. In 2004, taxes on gas proportionally comprised 21% of the price of gasoline. As gas prices rise the proportional percentage of taxes decreases. The associated dollar value is substantial with our gas consumption levels, for either party if taxes keep pace it's a windfall. As for what if any effect this has on the energy debate from either side of the aisle I'm not sure. And as for results in some ways were moving forward as for how fast we get there and for that matter where exactly were going remains a question to be seen.