President Bush asked Americans on Thursday to limit gasoline purchases on basic needs, while the Congress guide gas price gougers threat energy and raw materials speculators federal persecution.
The reports on the threat of gas shortages because of Hurricane Katrina damage to refineries and pipelines, drivers have been long lines at stations and well-equipped price of $ 3 per gallon in some sectors.
In a first for a former Texas oilman has long been stressed that production over conservation, Bush urged motorists to “prudent” in purchasing gas.
“Do not buy gas if you need it is not,” said Bush, his father and former President Bill Clinton behind him in the Oval Office.
Bush has asked two former presidents on resuming their tsunami aid measures boredom and money for victims of Katrina, also allow foreign ships to transport gasoline that is generally distributed by underground pipes damaged by the storm now. “Good people must understand that major refineries have been arrested, which means it will be difficult to achieve gasoline in some markets,” said Bush.
Rep. Joe Barton, chairman of the Texas Republican and the Energy Committee, the house, an emergency procedure known for consulting Congress on Wednesday. Quotes from his own experience of vision ÛBERNACHTUNGSPREIS a hike of 21 cents in Washington, a service station, Barton gougers warned against serious consequences.
“There is no need to panic,” he said. “On the other hand, there is no reason for retailers to Just Jack price, because all the parties concerned. We have to move very quickly to stop it, if we on the legal possibilities to do so, without emergency legislation “.
Raising the specter of “price controls and price freezes,” Barton expressed the hope that the Government is not drastic measures “to prevent pure price gouging.”
Gas prices have increased by more than 50 cents per gallon Wednesday in Ohio, Georgia, 40 cents and 30 cents in Maine, according to several Web sites, monitor prices. The average price for a beginning of regular gasoline Thursday ranged from $ 2.53 in Mississippi to $ 2.88 to $ 2.93 in California and Hawaii, AAA, but prices have risen sharply during the day to many stations across the country.
Mary Rose Brown, spokeswoman for Valero Energy Corp. in San Antonio, the second country in the refinery, said that his company was exercising restraint in the pricing of its product.
“We still lagging behind vis-à-vis the market and maintain our retailers and wholesalers-Branded price increases well below the market increases,” she said. “In reality, (it) represents 40 to 50 cents per gallon below spot market prices. ”
Republican Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, chairman of the Committee on Energy Senate, drew a hearing on gas prices and oil until Tuesday from its previously scheduled Thursday date.
“The price of gasoline are now under a heavy toll in Americans’ pocketbooks,” said Domenici. “Consumers are worried. Drag up to a pump, and they are stunned by prices. Economists are concerned. Raide energy prices, as we shall see Crimp mat consumer spending and confidence in the economy. “