Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on Michael Leavitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to help alleviate gasoline prices in California by approving an emergency waiver from the federal oxygenate requirement. 

The text of the letter Senator Feinstein sent to Administrator Leavitt follows: 

"I still have not heard from you regarding my request in February for a timeline relating to California 's application for a waiver from the federal oxygenate requirement. While I await your response, I would like to ask for the EPA to grant California an immediate temporary waiver.

Gas prices have reached average highs of $2.16, according to the Energy Information Administration. Ethanol only adds to the upward pressure at the pump. As you may know, during the summer blending season, which California has already entered, gasoline has to be refined to a lower reid vapor pressure. As a result, we lose about 10% of gasoline volume when we add ethanol to our summer blends.

With refineries in California running at maximum capacity, with crude oil prices already reaching record highs, and with growing gasoline demand in California , we need relief. You are the only one with the authority to grant the waiver. Therefore, I believe a temporary waiver contingent upon EPA's decision on our permanent waiver application is necessary and appropriate."