Bush’s fuel plans: running on empty

The Sept. 27 article, “Bush, Urging Conservation, Seeks to Boost Fuel Supply,” states: “Bush said the storms had called particular attention to the need to increase refining capacity in the U.S. He noted that no new refineries had been built since the 1970s and said excessive federal regulation had discouraged oil companies from expanding existing plants.” Why isn’t he addressing the auto industry to make more fuel-efficient economy cars? Instead, he is encouraging the use of a decreasing fuel supply to the detriment of our environment and to our reliance on Middle Eastern countries.

ALICE GOLDBERG

South Gate

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I was wondering when Bush would announce a plan to exploit the suffering and costs of Hurricane Katrina. There’s nothing like a disaster to get the Bush administration thinking. Hmm, how can we use the situation to further our agenda? I’m not clear on exactly what the agenda is, but oil always seems to figure in there somewhere. I can only hope that Congress will put the brakes on this administration’s rush to open more oil fields, build more refineries and weaken air quality standards.

MAUREEN DISCIPULO

Redondo Beach

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How much fuel is used by Air Force One for photo-ops in the Gulf Coast?

LEONARD FRITSCHE

La Crescenta