http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/000209/bfk.html

Wednesday February 9, 6:35 pm Eastern Time

U.S. to unveil plan on home heating oil Thursday

MCALLEN, Texas, Feb 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson will unveil measures on Thursday aimed at relieving ``supply disruptions'' in the home heating oil market in the Northeast, White House Chief of Staff John Podesta said.

Podesta, traveling with President Bill Clinton, did not specify what the actions would be, but indicated they were intended to deal with ``supply disruptions'' which have recently sent heating oil prices sharply higher in the northeastern states.

``There have been a bunch of supply disruptions up there which have had an impact on prices. We're trying to deal with that,'' Podesta said, adding ``I think Richardson will have something to say about it'' on Thursday.

He said the measures were intended ``to get more supply up and relieve the pressure on prices''. The steps will be aimed at relieving logistical problems disrupting supplies and could include transportation-related measures, he said.

Asked about earlier divisions within the administration on what steps should be taken, Podesta said: ``I think everybody is kind of on the same page now.''

Richardson earlier said the Clinton administration had no plan to release crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but also said that it would unveil, later in the week, an initiative to lower home heating oil prices.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), February 09, 2000

Answers

Podesta is so well spoken, isn't he?

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 09, 2000.

I've seen better jawbones on gerbils.

Joss

-- Joss Metadi (warhammer@Pride.of.Mandeyne), February 09, 2000.