Posted on 09/01/2005 12:44:33 PM PDT by Born Conservative
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Ed Rendell on Thursday urged Pennsylvanians to conserve gasoline and said he is considering more drastic steps if gas prices continue to rise, including rationing fuel or suspending the state's 31-cent-per-gallon fuel tax.
While stressing that such actions are not inevitable, Rendell said his administration is closely monitoring soaring gasoline prices, which exceed $3-per-gallon in parts of Pennsylvania, and spot shortages of fuel that have occurred elsewhere.
To temporarily lift the state gas tax, the governor said he would have to call the Legislature into special session and obtain its approval. He noted, however, that such a move could seriously disrupt funding for highway and bridge work across the state.
"I'm looking at whether we could do that for a short period of time and somewhat mitigate the cost to our highway construction and maintenance program," he said.
If gasoline supplies are disrupted and shortages occur, the state could require fuel rationing, he said.
Rendell said he could declare a fuel emergency — and take over authority to prosecute fuel sellers for price gouging from state Attorney General Tom Corbett — if he becomes convinced that gas prices in Pennsylvania are "beyond what market conditions dictate." He said he did not yet know what that threshold would be.
Fast Eddie is a democrat -- which is to say he has no ability to reason.
My poor mom...premium gas is over 4/gallon :(
He's trying to solve the political problem associated with looking like an incompetent waste of skin when major events are occurring that he is powerless to affect.
Just a guess...
Indeed! ;-( I wonder how soon for the rest of us. I'm hoping that after the initial crunch and race to top off tanks and fill that things will settle and prices will stabilize or fall. It's folks panic to fill up that is causing a stir. At least for now. The pipelines and oilrigs are the next task.
Houston is on higher ground. The refineries aren't.
RAISING the price of gas is exactly what would encourage conservation. Price caps would keep the price artificially low, people would start hoarding and then we'll see the shortages. Kinda like we're seeing in Atlanta now.
Sure, suspend the tax now to pay it back double later.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul is no thrill at all;
robbing Paul to pay Peter makes for a happy Peter.
That was my guess. :-)
When gas prices go from $2.19 to $2.99 in one week that's what I call it Eddie, price gouging?????
There are nationwide news programs suggesting major price increases so people across the country are filling up and topping off. The greatest supply of stored gas in this country by far is in the 200 million private vehicles. When Americans make a decision to fill up instead of just getting $20, that makes a huge difference in stored gasoline supplies. It does not require "panic", just speculation about prices increases and that's what's happening right now.
Yeh! But will he strip the welfare rolls of the DEAD?
Am about 20 miles east of Pgh. Thanks for the info regarding where our gas comes from.
"including rationing fuel or suspending the state's 31-cent-per-gallon fuel tax."
Rationing fuel will have no impact on prices.
Suspending the tax is self-defeating. The oil cartel thugs will merely raise the price even higher to reap a bigger profit.
Bush should call the CEOs of the major oil companies into his office for a heart-to-heart talk.
He should say something like this:
"Look, I know you're all patriotic Americans who love your country and are merely out to make a reasonable profit (sarcasm). However, this is a national emergency. We need fuel oil and gasoline and we need it at reasonable prices. I know refineries and wells were put out of commission and I know we really should have more built and dug and I agree with you boys on that (sincerity).
But this IS an emergency. Now if you boys do your part and behave and prices return to reasonable levels -considering the state of events - everything will be fine.
If, on the other hand, you decide to continue to be greedy and take advantage of this national emergency, I will be forced to go before Congress and request that they pass a bill nationalizing all oil production and distribution until the emergency ends. Lincoln did it with the Railroads and I reckon I can do it with the oil industry,
I know you'll make the right decision.
See you later pardners."
Jimmy Carter was a genius.
I am not saying the Houston area refineries could ride out a katrina like storm without serious damage. Just that after the storm the refineries would not be under water and the to and from roads would not be underwater either. Also keep in mind that Houston is 50 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
Hopefully there will be no more Katrinas this year. Local folklore has it that every winter with snow is followed by a major huricane, Houston had a white Christmas last winter.
Except for the subsequent shortages that would result in gas not being available at *any* price. Other than that, just peachy.
I'm shocked at the number of people here proposing that that oil companies are price gouging. We have just had a major supply disruption. Natural market forces dictate the price will rise greatly. If you want to avoid shortages, you must raise the price.
Look at the NYMEX Gasoline futures. Yesterday they were at $2.60. That's wholesale. Of course price at the pump will be in the three dollar range.
You know, if Eddie really wants to save gas he ought to kill the tolls on the Turnpike.
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