Automobiles

Your morning transportation speed-read: 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee leaders aren’t rushing to move bills on natural gas policy – instead they’re soliciting a lot more information.

The committee will hold a trio of “forums” about natural gas in May, a plan that Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) jointly announced Wednesday.

“The forums will be open to the public and will include input from members and a variety of stakeholders. They will be held in a roundtable format to encourage discussion and allow flexibility to find areas of agreement. The Energy Committee and others have used this format in the past on issues such as healthcare, tax reform and even natural gas, in 2005,” the committee said.

Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) said Tuesday that he has received assurances directly from Exxon Mobil that the oil company will stay in Arkansas until an oil spill in the city of Mayflower is completely cleaned up.

"I spoke with Exxon Mobil folks last night and this morning," Griffin said in an interview with KARK 4 television. "They're there every day on the ground, working with what's called the unified command, which is local, state, federal officials all together.

Your morning transportation speed-read: 

The national average price for gasoline, which soared in early 2013, dropped in March by 15 cents per gallon.

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California-based Tesla, which produces high-end electric cars, received a $465 million Energy Department loan in 2010.

Republicans and the Obama administration disagree about the impact proposed pollution controls will have at the pump. 

Environmental groups say the low-sulfur gasoline and vehicle emissions rules are vital tools to reduce smog.

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