Fuel conservation the only road for U.S. drivers

By Tom Doggett

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government tried to tackle high gasoline prices in the 1970s with a raft of measures, but this time around Washington is not offering much to ease the pain at the pump, so it will be up to consumers to find relief by conserving fuel.

While the public and many U.S. lawmakers are calling on the Bush administration to take action, the White House says there is nothing it can do to bring down skyrocketing fuel costs this spring and summer.

"It would be wrong of the President to provide false hope to people to think that we are going to be able to have an immediate impact to reduce gas prices," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said this week.

The national price for gasoline is at a record $3.27 a gallon and is expected to top $4 this spring in many parts of the country.

"This problem didn't get started overnight, and it's not going to be solved overnight," said Perino. "This is something we're going to have to all work through."

When gasoline prices soared in the 1970s, the government lowered speed limits, imposed price controls and rationed fuel by requiring drivers to buy gasoline on odd or even-numbered days of the month depending on a vehicle's license plate.

"I don't foresee the reintroduction of price controls," said Frank Verrastro, energy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington. "Clearly, there are no easy, near term fixes for higher gas prices."

The current gas price woes are also different from the 1970s when America had to deal with both low supplies and high costs. Today, supply is not an issue as U.S. gasoline inventories are at the highest level in 15 years.