OPEC on Wednesday forged ahead with tighter oil supply curbs from April, deaf to consumer country complaints about crude prices close to 13-year highs.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to turn down the taps despite calls from the United States for cheaper fuel.
Reuters article
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to turn down the taps despite calls from the United States for cheaper fuel.
The White House urged OPEC Wednesday not to take any actions that may harm the U.S. economy but stopped short of criticizing its decision to forge ahead with tighter oil supply curbs.
"It's important for producers not to take actions that hurt our economy. We believe oil prices should be set by market forces in order to make sure that we have adequate supplies available," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters after OPEC's decision.
Forbes article
"It's important for producers not to take actions that hurt our economy. We believe oil prices should be set by market forces in order to make sure that we have adequate supplies available," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters after OPEC's decision.
Is there an "or else" implied here?
Bush said during the 2000 presidential campaign it was the job of the president to "jawbone" OPEC producers to lower oil prices. "What I think the president ought to do is he ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say we expect you to open your spigots," Bush said in a January 2000 presidential debate.
While McClellan said the administration "remained engaged in close discussion with major producers from around the world," he made clear that Bush himself did not press them directly to lift export restrictions to help control U.S. pump prices.
"We believe oil prices should be set by market forces in order to make sure that we have adequate supplies available," McClellan told reporters.
Reuters article
While McClellan said the administration "remained engaged in close discussion with major producers from around the world," he made clear that Bush himself did not press them directly to lift export restrictions to help control U.S. pump prices.
"We believe oil prices should be set by market forces in order to make sure that we have adequate supplies available," McClellan told reporters.
That's what he expected Clinton, as president, to do. He didn't say that's what he himself should do.
I have a feeling that Bush is loathe to take on Chavez personally. Little bullies usually know where they can't get away with their bullying.
Kerry said he would ease prices by pressuring the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase oil supplies, ''momentarily'' stopping deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and developing more energy-efficient vehicles. Kerry would also simplify rules on gas additives.
Experts questioned whether Kerry's plan would have much impact on prices, especially in the short term. ''I don't know if you could measure the impact'' of halting additional reserves because the amount involved is small, says James Williams of WTRG Economics, an energy consulting firm in London, Ark.
Bush said the answer was passage of the administration's energy bill, long stalled on Capitol Hill, which would encourage the use of coal and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration.
''There are some in the other party in Washington who would like to raise gas taxes,'' Bush said in Appleton, Wis. ''I think it would be wrong. I think it would be damaging to the economy.'' Kerry hasn't proposed raising gas taxes, but he has supported the idea in the past as a deficit-reduction and environmental measure.
Am Int'l Auto Dealers article
Experts questioned whether Kerry's plan would have much impact on prices, especially in the short term. ''I don't know if you could measure the impact'' of halting additional reserves because the amount involved is small, says James Williams of WTRG Economics, an energy consulting firm in London, Ark.
Bush said the answer was passage of the administration's energy bill, long stalled on Capitol Hill, which would encourage the use of coal and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration.
''There are some in the other party in Washington who would like to raise gas taxes,'' Bush said in Appleton, Wis. ''I think it would be wrong. I think it would be damaging to the economy.'' Kerry hasn't proposed raising gas taxes, but he has supported the idea in the past as a deficit-reduction and environmental measure.
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