JUNEAU -- Alaska's Senate Finance Committee plans to hire experts to advise lawmakers on ways to address high energy costs.

The decision to spend up to $150,000 for the expertise came one day after the Senate adjourned from the special session. The meeting notice was for a discussion on a request for proposals to "identify potential price-fixing issues and solutions."

During the regular session, Sen. Bill Wielechowski pushed a price-gouging ban that went nowhere.

Wielechowski, in a statement, said gas prices are soaring and heating fuel costs are crippling businesses. The Senate's bipartisan majority said that he, along with finance committee members Joe Thomas and Lyman Hoffman, will draft a request for proposals and select experts to advise the Senate on ways to lower energy costs for Alaskans.