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Lawmaker proposes gas tax waiver
By Scott S. Greenberger
Source: The B.oston G.lobe
A Republican state lawmaker's call to temporarily waive the state's gasoline tax created a politically sticky situation yesterday for Governor Mitt Romney, who initially dismissed the idea, but later said he "would be hard-pressed to veto any tax reduction."
Asked by a reporter at a morning news conference whether giving motorists a "holiday" from the state's 21cents-per-gallon gasoline tax was "crazy," Romney said it was. The governor called the idea "an additional incentive to use gasoline and energy."
Later, however, Romney called a Globe reporter to clarify his comment, saying he meant that the proposal made no sense as a long-term solution. The House minority leader, Bradley H. Jones Jr., a Republican, would waive the tax only until Dec. 31.
The episode played out as politicians on Beacon Hill began responding to the spike in gasoline prices: The average price of regular unleaded gas in the Bay State rose to $2.79 yesterday, up 17 cents since Monday, according to the American Automobile Association of Southern New England. Romney said his administration is working on proposals to encourage energy efficiency. Leading Democrats said they were readying their own energy proposals, though a spokeswoman for House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi cautioned against sudden changes in policy.
"While we understand the urge to act quickly, the problem cannot be addressed merely through reactionary proposals," said DiMasi's spokeswoman, Kimberly Haberlin.
Jones said he knows his proposal won't provide long-term relief to Massachusetts motorists, but he contends that it would help them gradually adjust their spending habits to reflect an unfortunate new reality. Jones said waiving the gas tax would cost the state $175 million. Under his plan, the state would plug that hole with other money.
"Drive by a gas station and look at the board and see what the price is, and drive by a day later and see what the price is, and that's your argument for it," Jones said. "It's something we can do to take the edge off as people try to acclimate to the idea that we are probably facing a permanently higher price for gas."
Jones said his gas-tax break is one of several energy proposals he will put forward once the Legislature returns to work after Labor Day. He also will propose the elimination of the excise tax on clean-fuel or hybrid vehicles, a tax credit on the purchase of clean-fuel vehicles, and a sales-tax holiday for energy-efficient appliances.
Gas prices and energy policy were hot topics at the State House yesterday. After introducing the new commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Romney launched into a wide-ranging discourse on the nation's energy challenges. Romney joked about a cardigan-clad President Carter exhorting Americans to turn down their thermostats during the energy crisis of the 1970s. But then Romney issued his own call for conservation, saying "we're going to have to rethink how we use energy in our society."
"We as individual families and as citizens need to find ways to conserve energy, to utilize it more efficiently," he said. "It's an amazing fact. You've seen that almost everything in America has gotten more efficient over the decade -- except the fuel economy of the vehicles we drive, that's become more inefficient."
Romney, whose auto-executive father invented the term "compact car," appeared to be departing from the conservative Republican position that the best way to reduce the price of oil is to find more of it. But later in the day, the possible presidential candidate emphasized that he did not necessarily support tougher fuel-efficiency standards.
Romney declined to comment on the Bush administration's plan, unveiled earlier this month, to stiffen those standards. Democrats and environmental groups have criticized the proposed changes as insufficient.
Instead, Romney predicted that simple economics will curb the popularity of sport utility vehicles and other gas-guzzlers.
"I actually believe that by virtue of the rise in gasoline prices, which I believe is a long-term phenomenon, that you will see a reversal of that trend," he said.
Romney and his wife own a 1985 BMW, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, a 2005 Cadillac SRX, and a new Ford Mustang. The governor said that he doesn't plan to trade in any of those vehicles right away but that "there's no question that the next time I purchase an automobile for Ann and me, fuel efficiency will weigh more heavily than it did last time."
To see more of The Bost.on Globe, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.boston.com/globe. Copyright (c) 2005, The Boston Glo.be Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
Thieves may target cars' tanks but unlikely to strike gas stations
By David Hench
Source: Portland Press Herald
Sharply rising gasoline prices may lead to more gas theft, but police officials don't expect a surge in motorists who fill up, then drive off without paying.
Stung by past thefts, many gas stations already require motorists to pay before pumping.
"In the Lakes Region area, due to the tourist area that it is, a lot of the stores require you either pay by credit card or pay before you pump," said Capt. William Rhoads of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. "The mom-and-pop operations have done that for quite a few years. There are a couple of the others that have gotten whacked a few times and now they've gotten educated."
Falmouth police have received 138 reports of gas customers not paying in the past year and a half, though many cases are the result of errors, not criminal intent, said Lt. David Kloth.
"So far we haven't seen a drastic increase, but with the prices jumping the way they are, I wouldn't be surprised if we do see more," Kloth said.
Portland police haven't seen a spike in drive-offs, investigating about two a week. Lt. Vern Malloch said he believes stations often don't report the theft if they don't have a license plate number or videotape of the offending vehicle.
South Portland police charged two people with stealing gas Wednesday night after workers at Jetport Plaza Gas Station on Western Avenue reported the theft and the license plate number. Officers pulled the car over as it headed downtown and charged two women, in their 20s, with failing to pay for $30 in gas, said South Portland Lt. Frank Toderico.
"It's kind of a dumb theft," Toderico said of the drive-offs. "Almost everyone has video cameras now."
Toderico suspects about half the time people drive off without paying by accident.
"They think they paid or the credit card didn't go through. We'll get ahold of them and they'll make restitution," he said.
In other areas of Maine, some station owners have reported an increase in drive-offs and have responded by installing surveillance cameras and requiring pre-payment.
If gasoline prices continue to rise, thieves may well turn their attention to private vehicles.
"Now they go through private vehicles for loose change, CDs, sunglasses and the like," said Toderico. "It wouldn't surprise me, if we experience $4 a gallon like the projection, that we see more siphoning from private vehicles."
Similar thefts occurred during the gas shocks of the 1970s, leading motorists to purchase locking gas caps and anti-siphoning devices. Many car models also now require a release inside the car to be activated to unlock the door accessing the gas fill.
The theft of gas from a private vehicle may not be as lucrative as driving off with a full tank from the gas station, but there's less chance of being caught, Toderico said.
Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at: dhench@pressherald.com
(C) 2005 Portland Press Herald. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
Katrina prompts AAA to issue gas-saving guidelines
Source: Busi.ness Wire
ORLANDO, Fla-- AAA today issued a set of fuel-conservation instructions for motorists struggling with the strain of record-high fuel prices and might be worried about gasoline availability in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
AAA's energy conservation guidelines, excerpted from the brochure "AAA Gas Watcher's Guide," are available from AAA clubs and can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.aaa.com/news and printed.
"AAA is calling on all Americans to learn and follow fuel conservation techniques during the next few weeks that will help the nation cope with the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the gasoline refining and distribution system in the United States," said AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet.
(Editors note: AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet will testify on fuel prices and availability before the Senate Energy Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Copies of his testimony will be available from AAA on Tuesday morning.)
"AAA is deeply concerned by the huge price increases at the nation's gas pumps we have witnessed this week. Even more disturbing, however, are the scattered reports of fuel shortages at individual gas stations caused by tight inventories, and by the panic buying of gasoline by some motorists," he said.
"For this reason, AAA is urging fuel conservation as an immediate priority for all Americans and the most effective way individuals can protect themselves from high prices and the possibility of a local fuel outage."
AAA fuel economy tips are found in a 12-page brochure that covers a variety of ways motorists can save fuel during day-to-day driving, or while taking longer distance trips.
The advice encourages motorists to systematically rethink their approach to fuel consumption, rather than adopting one or two techniques. Some of the key tips contained in the guide are:
-- Change driving attitudes. Make fuel conservation top-of-mind when choosing which vehicle to drive, the distance of the destination, and what trips and errands to run.
-- Consider driving style consequences. Save fuel by slowing down, maintaining steady speeds and avoiding rapid acceleration and sudden stops. Leave plenty of time to reach destinations and don't let the engine idle.
-- Don't pursue fuel savings that are counter-productive. Topping-off a nearly full gas tank or joining gas lines out of a sense of panic will contribute to the possibility of fuel shortages. Shop for the lowest gas price with your steering wheel, but don't drive excessive miles hoping to save a few cents per gallon.
-- Practice good vehicle maintenance by making certain tires are properly inflated, the air filter is clean, the engine and chassis are properly lubricated and spark plugs are in good condition.
-- Check your vehicle owner's manual to make certain the grade of gasoline being purchased is the correct one. Most vehicles are designed to operate on lower cost regular gasoline.
-- Save money by considering car pools and public transportation as a form of commuting if available. Car pools for school, children's activities and shopping can also cut fuel costs. Car pools can be especially effective over the next few weeks in cutting the nation's fuel consumption.
-- Consider telecommuting one or more days per week, if that is a possibility where you work. Ask about arriving earlier, or leaving later from work to avoid wasting gasoline in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic.
"By adopting as many of these tips as possible, Americans will be able to protect themselves from high prices and potential fuel outages during this difficult time," Darbelnet said.
Copyright Busin.ess Wire 2005
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