[snugs]

QUOTE OF THE DAY –

President Discusses Hurricane Effects on Energy Supply
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank Secretary Bodman for welcoming us here at the Energy Department; Secretary Norton. We've just had a full briefing on what we know thus far about the effects of Hurricane Rita on the energy situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

A lot of our production comes from the Gulf, and when you have a Hurricane Katrina followed by a Hurricane Rita, it's natural, unfortunately, that it's going to affect supply. There's about 1.56 million barrels of oil that is shut in. And before Rita, just to put that in perspective, that was approximately 880,000 barrels a day that were shut in due to Katrina. So that when you really look on a map you have, if you follow the path of Katrina and the path of Rita, it pretty much covers a lot of production in the Gulf of Mexico.

Right now the producing companies are assessing damage to the platforms and rigs. It's important for our people to know that we understand the situation and that we're willing to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to mitigate any shortfalls in crude oil that could affect our consumers. I've instructed the Secretary of Energy to be mindful once again about the effects of the SPRO, and how it can help settle price. He did a fine job after Katrina, and we're paying close attention to the markets as we speak

My point is, is that the storm affected the ability to get gasoline to markets. I know the governors of Florida and Georgia have done some creative things to try to anticipate what will be a temporary problem. Governor Perdue of Georgia I thought did a -- showed some leadership by saying we've got to -- anticipating a problem, here's what we need to do to correct it.

There's going to be some -- by the way, and here's what we have done and will continue to do. We have suspended certain EPA winter blend rules so that it makes it easier to import gasoline from overseas. In other words, there's a supply of gasoline in Europe, and by suspending these rules, it's a lot more likely to be able to get gasoline into our markets. And so while there's a shortfall because of down refining capacity, we will work with -- we have instructed EPA to leave the rules in place, or to suspend the rules that were in place, keep the suspension in place, which would make it easier to increase supply, and continue to get supply of gasoline here. And that's important for our consumers to know.

In Houston, the challenge in Houston, as I understand it, is to get drivers and trucks into Houston so they can deliver gasoline to the retailers. And the Secretary is working with the local authorities there to help do anything we can to help get that done so that people in that big city will be able to get some gasoline. Beaumont and Port Arthur are still under assessment, we're not sure yet the full extent of the damage. I'll be going down there in the area tomorrow, and by then there will be a pretty clear assessment. I look forward to dealing with local -- talking to local leaders about what -- the situation and the problems they face.

Let me repeat, we'll use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help refineries with crude oil. We will continue the waivers to allow the winter blends of fuel to be used throughout the country. We will continue to waiver that -- to allow broader use of diesel fuel. Because we understand there's been a disruption in supply and we want to make sure that we do everything we can to help with the supply disruption

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush, appearing at the U.S. Department of Energy, Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 in Washington, talks about the effects of Hurricane Rita on the energy situation in the Gulf of Mexico. President Bush is joined by U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton

[snugs]

Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

[snugs]

President George W. Bush speaks during a meeting with Texas officials, including Texas Governor Rick Perry, left, inside the Texas Emergency Operations Center in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005

President George W. Bush hugs a worker while visiting with emergency personnel inside the Texas Emergency Operations Center in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005

President George W. Bush and Texas Governor Rick Perry, right, participate in a meeting with Texas officials inside the Texas Emergency Operations Center in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005

President George W. Bush receives a briefing with personnel from all branches of the military on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita inside NORAD's United States Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005

President Bush receives a briefing from FEMA and military Joint Task Force-RITA officials in Baton Rouge September 25, 2005

President George W. Bush and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco participate in a briefing on Hurricane Rita at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana September 25, 2005.

President George W. Bush and Louisiana officials participate in a briefing on Hurricane Rita at the FEMA Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005

President George W. Bush thanks emergency personnel inside the FEMA Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005

President Bush (C) receives a briefing from military Joint Task Force-RITA officials at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, September 25, 2005. Seen from L-R are U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major George Nieves, Bush, and Commander Joint Task Force-RITA U.S. Army Major-General Robert Clark

President George W. Bush participates in a briefing with the Joint Task Force on Hurricane Rita at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005

[My2Cents]

Here

[BlessedByLiberty]

Is he telling Blanco to go sit in the corner?

[Kate of Spice Island]

I am here and I am tearing my hair out! At least we didn't get much storm damage.

Hope everyone else is doing great today.

[bitt]

okay, under 60, that's okay.......

[cgk]

BTTT

[Pippin]

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY!!!!

Can't be on long :o(

my IP is really sloooow tonight!

HEY! I'n here before 100!

Would've been here earlier but I had things to do before getting on line.

Thanks for the ping,Snugs!

Guess what?

I met Jimrob and Sheila yesterday at the rally in DC.

NicknamedBob took me there. It was awesome, but next time I'm taking a box of kleenex with me especially if the Gold Star families are speaking.

Snugs, the chocolates came today, thanks! YUMMY!

But I better make them last, LOL!

Jim and Sheila, it was great meeting you both. I meant to thank you for your service to our country as well as FREEREPUBLIC.

BOb, thanks for putting up with this "hobbit" HEE! HEE!

[JudyinCanada]

I need a good answer for a co-worker. He made some stupid remark today, asking me what my opinion was of the President because he did not respond for seven minutes when told of the planes crashing into the towers.

I have to say, I got a strange feeling, as I do not know what this was supposed to imply. I have heard this inane remark before, but would like to know a) is this true b) what is it that they are surmising and c) what is the right response.

I just said he is a calm and controlled man who did not want to upset a class full of children as well as many adults, so he methodically completed (or seemed to complete) the task at hand and then proceeded to do what had to be done. I have no doubt that he was doing a lot of praying all along.

What's up with this stupid question?

[pollyannaish]

Thanks for the wonderful dose tonight snugs!

Good evening all. I've been working really, really hard these last couple of weeks, so I have had to use a little self control in the "freeping" area. ; ) Whew! I didn't realize it was going to be so hard.

Hope everything is well with all of you.