U.S. Weighs Georgia Request For SPR Oil

The Bush administration is weighing a request by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue for oil from the United States’ strategic petroleum reserve to ease gas supply problems in the state. The Energy Department has released 4.79 million barrels from the SPR to mitigate disruptions after hurricanes Gustav and Ike. (Bloomberg)

But Perdue is facing criticism at home for not seeking relief sooner. While other southern states have sought waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate additives that hampered gas deliveries, the Georgia governor was in Europe on an economic development mission. Drivers in the region have faced long lines at service stations and a key Perdue rival is urging the state to begin some form of rationing.

Sources:

• Bush Officials ‘Reviewing’ Georgia’s Request for Reserve Oil (Bloomberg)
  Perdue Delayed Asking For Gas Shortage Help (WSBTV
  Frustration in the South as a Gasoline Shortage Drags On (New York Times
  Olens: Georgia needs to move to odd-even gas rationing (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)