The Gasoline Crisis, Part 12:
Is the end in sight?
11 May 2006 in Regulatory Economics
The Washington Times is reporting
that the Administration has "declared an end to the supply
disruptions that sent pump prices over $3 a gallon last month."
From the Times story:
U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said the switch to ethanol as an additive in summer fuels from MTBE is complete, and the supply disruptions related to the change appear to be over. Transportation snafus in delivering the ethanol blend in April had sent prices skyrocketing and caused sporadic outages of fuel in Washington-area gas stations and other East Coast areas.
"To my knowledge, things have settled down and the transportation system is now working pretty smoothly," Mr. Bodman said at an appearance in Alexandria, adding that logistical problems related to shipping have been addressed and he has not heard recently of any shortages affecting filling stations.
"To my knowledge, MTBE has been phased out in its entirety, and we are now operating with total dependence on ethanol." The changeover appears to have been completed without the need for any waivers of clean-fuel regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Neutral Source has previously reported that EPA invited waiver requests and had heard EPA had granted them. The Times account says Maryland and Virginia both requested waivers, but that EPA did not grant them.
