Bush, saying soaring gasoline prices are like a hidden tax on working people, unveiled an energy plan April 25 that includes a provision for the Environmental Protection Agency to waive requirements that certain areas of the country sell only specially formulated gasoline that reduces smog-causing emissions. Gasoline in many communities during the summer months must be blended with ethanol or MTBE. However, recent concerns about MTBE polluting water supplies have prompted refiners to abandon its use.

Environmentalists and Democrats criticized Bush´s proposal, saying it would jeopardize air quality without solving supply and pricing problems.