Washington, D.C. – The price of crude oil closed today at $40.33 a barrel in the wake of the government’s warning of the heightened threat of terror. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici again urged Senate Democrats to pass the energy bill on behalf of American consumers pressed by sustained high gasoline prices. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “Energy is a top issue this election year. Presidential candidate John Kerry has launched a new political ad promising energy independence in a decade. His promise is an empty one. Three Democratic Senate candidates today joined in calling for energy development in ANWR. Unfortunately, this Congress refuses to tap the million barrels a day we could get from ANWR. “But even if we can’t pass ANWR, we can pass an energy bill now that will make a difference in all of our energy supplies, including oil. The energy bill before this Senate increases domestic oil production on the Gulf of Mexico and on inland federal lease holds. “I urge Democrats anxious to do something to step up and do the right thing. Pass the energy bill.”