API ads invoke the 1970s: price controls and disco

"The results of the survey clearly show that we need to do a better job communicating with people about the realities of global energy markets and our industry," said Red Cavaney, API president and CEO. "Our companies are committed to sharing our perspectives on energy issues with policy makers and the public."

The problem with the perspective the industry wants to share is that it is the industry's perspective, often with the intent to sway rather than inform public opinion.

Current API radio and television commercials warn against returning to the failed energy policies of the 1970s, including gasoline price controls. But API is referring to legislation currently before Congress making gasoline price gouging a federal offense.

Of course, if pursuant to the legislation you prosecute someone for charging "unconscionably excessive" prices during an "energy emergency," (i.e, a Hurricane Katrina), it perhaps could be construed as a form of "gasoline price controls." But it is a stretch to equate the price control regimes of the 1970s with the intent of the price gouging legislation.

However, given the public's understanding of how prices are set at the pump, which granted may not be well informed, API wouldn't get very far opposing price gouging legislation. In any event, the commercials do make a valid point when they suggest that such cultural artifacts of the 1970s as mood rings and disco should be relegated to the dustbin of history.