Washington (Platts)--13Apr2010/614 pm EDT/2214 GMT

Concerned about the impact of rising gasoline prices on his economically struggling state, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown on Tuesday asked the Obama administration to "redouble its efforts" to stem the increase.

"As prices rise, the choice between buying a tank of gas and putting food on the table becomes a real one for Ohioans, particularly those facing stagnant wages or unemployment," Brown said in a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Gasoline prices in Ohio reached $2.80/gal this week, nearly matching last summer's high of $2.81/gal, Brown's office said.

"It is with these challenges in mind that I encourage you to work with Congress to keep gasoline prices from skyrocketing," Brown said. "While Congress considers energy legislation, we must continue our efforts to develop alternative energy sources, invest in new clean energy technologies that put our manufacturers back to work, and hold oil companies and speculators accountable for price inflation unrelated to changes in supply or demand."

A Brown aide said the senator would also like to see Chu consider releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help curb gasoline prices.

DOE Press Secretary Stephanie Mueller said Chu "believes that ultimately, the real way to give consumers relief at the pump is to cut our dependence on foreign oil."

With that goal in mind, Mueller said, the Obama administration is spending more funds on electric and hybrid vehicles and biofuels, increasing fuel economy standards for vehicles, and planning to expand domestic oil and gas production.

"The secretary also believes that comprehensive energy and climate legislation is the best way to ensure the transition to a clean energy future and he looks forward to working with Senator Brown and other members of Congress to get a bill passed this year," she said.

Brown is generally considered likely to vote for such legislation, although he has been working on a provision to protect US manufacturers.

--Bill Loveless, bill_loveless@platts.com