President George W. Bush said Monday that U.S. consumers should expect higher gasoline prices after Hurricane Ike disrupted supplies, and that he was concerned about the country's energy situation. “The energy situation is one that's of concern,” Bush told reporters in Washington after being briefed on the storm by emergency officials. He said Ike's effects on refineries and pipelines was creating “an upward pressure on price” of gasoline, and warned of a “pinch” for consumers. Bush said Americans should not suffer from gasoline price gouging. The federal government is working with state leaders to monitor whether consumers are being unfairly charged high prices during the disruption to energy supplies. The president plans to visit Texas on Tuesday to inspect storm damage and meet with emergency officials. He said damage to infrastructure was extensive, but that damage to the energy sector was not as bad as some had feared. “We're looking forward to hearing from the local folks,” Bush said of his trip. “I'm confident that there will be people who are very frustrated because their lives have been severely affected by this storm. My message will be that we hear you.” The eye of the hurricane missed the center of Houston as well as the largest concentrations of oil and natural-gas refineries. However, retail gasoline prices have jumped based on Ike's hit to the region, which accounts or about one-fifth of the country's petroleum refining capacity. Refineries, even if they were not damaged, may remain closed for days, some because of power outages.
