Bush eases environmental rules on gasoline
(AP)
Updated: 2006-04-26 19:41
Under election-year pressure to reduce surging gasoline prices, President
Bush on Tuesday halted filling of the nation's emergency oil reserve, urged the
waiver of clean air rules to ease local gas shortages and called for the repeal
of $2 billion in tax breaks for profit-heavy oil companies.
President Bush delivers a speech on energy to
the Renewable Fuels Association in Washington Tuesday, April 25, 2006.
Bush on Tuesday ordered a temporary suspension of environmental rules for
gasoline, making it easier for refiners to meet demand and possibly dampen
prices at the pump. [AP] |
Still, experts said Bush's actions wouldn't have much impact on prices at the
pump. The president warned that motorists would have to dig deep into their
pockets all summer long.
Bush urged lawmakers to expand tax breaks for the purchase of fuel-efficient
hybrid automobiles, a politically popular measure that's also supported by
environmentalists. He also directed the Environmental Protection Agency to use
its authority to temporarily waive air quality laws in states if that would
relieve a local gasoline supply shortage.
The White House was unable to say how much Bush's actions could affect the
price of gas.
Bush said, "Every little bit helps."
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