If drivers saddled with pricey fees at the pump have been one of the biggest economic losers of the war in the Middle East, the companies selling that gasoline have emerged as the conflict’s clear winner.
BP did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.
“Revenue from a windfall profits tax should be returned directly to struggling American households to help offset rising costs,” the letter said. “A windfall profits tax would ensure that extraordinary profits generated off the backs of U.S. families during periods of crisis are returned back to the public rather than captured entirely by oil and gas corporations.”
