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Spain will lower highway speed limits, cut train ticket prices and use more biofuel under an emergency energy-saving initiative brought about by soaring oil prices.
The Libyan rebellion has sharply reduced exports from the oil-rich nation and about 13% of the oil Spain consumes comes from Libya.
Deputy prime minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said his country's energy supply was not in danger, despite shutdowns by oil companies operating in Libya, but the national energy bill would rise significantly because of the sharply higher petroleum prices. He said a €10/ barrel increase in oil prices would cost Spain an extra €500-million a month.
Spain's energy-saving measures will be approved formally and take effect on a temporary basis March 7. The maximum speed on Spanish highways will be reduced from 120 to 110km/h. The government will rush to print new signs to alert people of the change.
Madrid taxi driver Carlos Cuellar Benito, 47, doubted the measure would make any difference. "It's nonsense. A change of 10km/h is not going to save anything, it is not logical."
The government also will order a five percent reduction in fares on commuter and middle-distance trains.
Finally, oil companies will have to add more bio-fuel to the petrol and diesel they produce - from the current mandatory 5.8% to seven percent. - AP
The Libyan rebellion has sharply reduced exports from the oil-rich nation and about 13% of the oil Spain consumes comes from Libya.
Deputy prime minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said his country's energy supply was not in danger, despite shutdowns by oil companies operating in Libya, but the national energy bill would rise significantly because of the sharply higher petroleum prices. He said a €10/ barrel increase in oil prices would cost Spain an extra €500-million a month.
Spain's energy-saving measures will be approved formally and take effect on a temporary basis March 7. The maximum speed on Spanish highways will be reduced from 120 to 110km/h. The government will rush to print new signs to alert people of the change.
Madrid taxi driver Carlos Cuellar Benito, 47, doubted the measure would make any difference. "It's nonsense. A change of 10km/h is not going to save anything, it is not logical."
The government also will order a five percent reduction in fares on commuter and middle-distance trains.
Finally, oil companies will have to add more bio-fuel to the petrol and diesel they produce - from the current mandatory 5.8% to seven percent. - AP
