Louisiana Gov asks U.S. government to tap oil stockpile

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday called on the federal government to release emergency crude oil supplies to counteract fuel shortages due to Hurricane Gustav.

“We think it is necessary,” Jindal said at a news conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, monitored via local television. “We know we are going to need this fuel by Thursday.”

Jindal said he submitted an official request to the U.S. Energy Department, which was not available to comment.

Reuters