An area elected official is joining the fight to tackle high gas prices. Washington is trying to step in to provide relief at the pump. Emi FitzGerald has more on the latest efforts.

Congressman Ralph Hall signed a petition to bring legislation to lower gas prices. Hall says America has all the resources it needs for energy here at home.

The petition is in support of a House resolution called the No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007. The bill provides for new American oil refineries and investments in clean energy sources like wind, nuclear, and captured carbon dioxide.

Hall says there is potential to produce enough oil and natural gas to replace OPEC and supply U.S. needs. In fact, federal agencies have said America is the only oil-producing nation that has placed a substantial amount of its energy potential off limits.

The bill encourages more refineries built on previously closed land, extending wind energy tax credits and creating tax incentives for nuclear energy.