As energy companies prepare to release their quarterly profits this week, the Sierra Club is up with a radio ad in six states that praises specific Democratic Members of Congress for “standing up to the oil companies.” The ads are slated to be airing all week.

“All this week, you’ll be hearing about the billions of dollars in record high profits the big oil companies are making,” the voice-over in the 60-second ad begins. “They’re raking it in while we’re feeling the pain of $4 a gallon gas. Let’s face it — Big Oil has our economy, our energy policies and our politics in a stranglehold.”

The ad goes on to say that Congress has a chance to vote to end government giveaways to the oil companies, and praises the specific Member for his or her stance.

The ad is playing in the Green Bay market to praise Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and in the districts of Democratic Reps. Health Shuler (N.C.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), Christopher Carney (Pa.) and Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.).

All House Members but Shuler face tough re-election battles this year. Kohl is not up for re-election until 2012.

The Sierra Club was instrumental in helping elect McNerney to Congress in 2006, combining with other environmental groups to spend millions on his race.