Thermostats down by six degrees

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 13

Thermostats down by six degrees

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 15.

The Federal Energy Office (F.E.0.) issued regulations last night that in effect will force American owners of oilheated homes to lower their thermostats six degrees (Fahrenheit) and that leave petrol stations last in line for available supplies.

Mr John Hill, an assistant director of F.E.0., said in an interview that service stations would probably get about 15 to 20 per cent less petrol than the public would use if there were no shortage. Essential services which purchase gasoline in bulk were assigned all the fuel they need, other commercial bulk buyers such as taxi fleets, will receive as much as they did in 1972. The regulations provide

for the F.E.O. to tell refineries what portion of their output should be petrol versus other petroleum products. The F.E.O. has said that it expected to order a reduction in petrol production to a level 5 per cent below 1972 production levels. Taking first priority for petrol are essential services including agriculture, emergency services, energy production, sanitation services, telecommunications and passenger transport. The new regulations were to be implemented immediately.