U.S. House to weigh gasoline prices WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- More domestic energy production is a way to ensure U.S. consumers aren't paying too much at the gasoline pump, a U.S. lawmaker said. Tensions in the Middle East are in part to blame for rising crude oil prices, which translates to higher gasoline prices. The U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration reports that gasoline prices last week were 30 cents higher on average than the same time last year. The House Energy and Power Subcommittee said it would have hearings to discuss legislation that would ensure the government doesn't tap into strategic petroleum reserves without taking corresponding steps to increase domestic oil and natural gas production. "The way to lower high gas prices is through strong domestic production, not quick fix politics," stated U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., author of the legislation. By increasing domestic production opportunities to match amounts released from the reserve, this legislation turns a short term infusion of supply from the SPR into a long term policy securing America's energy future. U.S. President Barack Obama said last week that there's no simple way to lower the price of gasoline. "We can't simply drill our way out of the problem," he said . Even if we drilled every square inch of this country right now, we're going to be relying on other countries for oil. The EIA notes that about 70 percent of the price per gallon of gasoline is based on global crude oil prices.