US to release reserve oil for Gustav recovery efforts

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States is releasing 250,000 barrels of oil from its strategic reserve to help with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, the Energy Department announced.

"The oil is needed because of the closure of Louisiana's Calcasieu channel and disruptions in oil supply caused by Hurricane Gustav," the department said.

The Energy Department said that the release was agreed after a request earlier in the day from Citgo's Lake Charles, Louisiana refinery.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal had called for a release of fuel from the strategic reserve to prepare for the return home of many of the two million people who fled the region ahead of Hurricane Gustav, which blasted ashore southwest of New Orleans Monday.

Refineries in...