[DR1] Government to get new energy plan

[NewsWhore]

The recent increase of a barrel of petroleum past the US$75 dollar mark has pushed the Leonel Fernandez government to announce a new energy plan later on this week. The new plan will probably include some of the features of the plan announced last September, when crude oil was hovering around the US$60 dollar mark. These measures included restricted fuel sales, the obligatory use of alternate day service by the small cars servicing fixed routes (publicos), and restrictions on the sale of propane gas for transport use. Dominicans already pay some of the region's highest prices for fuel, more than in Central America. According to Diario Libre, the new plan will be drawn up by experts from several areas, under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Important emphasis will be given to the necessity of preserving a stable exchange rate, in order to avoid an even greater impact on fuel prices. In addition, there will be a renewed push by the government to get the legislation relating to renewable energy passed through the Congress. The business community and legislators Minou Tavarez and Elias Serulle are pushing for its passage. At the same time, President Fernandez told his audience at political rallies over the weekend that the country's two greatest enemies were the increasing petroleum prices and the energy crisis.

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