Gov. Jim Doyle issued five subpoenas Monday requiring major oil companies to appear at a hearing in Milwaukee scheduled for Dec. 1 to testify about unprecedented profits gained following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The oil CEOs are also required to address the projected increases in natural gas prices'something that would affect home heating costs for the upcoming winter.
'These same companies also happen to be the largest producers of natural gas and are poised to continue to make record profits as heating costs in Wisconsin rise 50 or 60 percent,' Doyle said in a statement.
The oil companies have many ties to Wisconsin and Doyle said with consumer prices increasing an estimated $600 this winter, the subpoenas come at an appropriate time.
