Presidential Decree Announced; Big Stick, Not Much of a Bite
The expected presidential decree that will hopefully save on gasoline consumption was announced yesterday, however, it will solely depend on the comprehension and good will of Costa Ricans.

The decree sets out several measures that will reduce gasoline consumption in the face of rising crude oil prices, that will change the work of hours of some public employees and restrict vehicular circulation in the downtown core during morning and afternoon rush hours.

Within 15 - 22 days, many public employees will begin their work day at 7am and finish at 3pm, one hour earlier than their current work hours. State banks and a number of state institutions will not be affected by the change. Nor will schools hours be affected.

Another measure that will be adopted by the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) is to restrict access to downtown San José between 7am - 8am and 4pm - 5pm.

The MOPT plans to use the last digit of the vehicle's license plate to set the condition of transit, that is, on Mondays those vehicles that their license plate ends in 1 and 2 cannot circulate downtown during rush hours. On Tuesdays, vehicles with their license plate ending in 3 an 4 will be restricted; Wednesdays 5 and 6; Thursday 7 and 8; and, Fridays 9 and 0.

However, the presidential decree doesn't establish a fine for drivers who do not respect the order, thus Transit officials can only give drivers a warning and not a ticket.

At least 80 Transit officers will on hand each morning and afternoon to direct traffic and place road blocks to restrict the movement in the downtown core. Transit officials though they do not have the authority to fine a driver who disobeys the order, however, will have the authority to alter traffic patterns and movement..

The hope is that drivers will use their conscience in the effort to reduce gasoline consumption by eliminating some of the traffic congestion that is common in the downtown area every weekday. And that those affected will find alternative methods of transport on "their" day.

The downtown areas affected will be from Avenidas 9 and 16 and Calles 11 and 22. "Official" government vehicles will also have to respect the restriction, except for police and emergency vehicles.

In addition, the Minae (Environment Ministry), MOPT, Ministerio de Hacienda and the Ministerio de la Presidencia
will study several measures to mitigate the negative economic effects of rising fuel prices.

One of the measures is to use ethanol anhydrous, a sugar cane derivative that blends with gas and provides an excellent yield.

They also propose using domestic biodiesel, oils developed from palm trees and other vegetables, replacing from 5-10 percent of petroleum-based diesel.

A source said these initiatives were submitted to Refinadora Costarricense de Petroleo (Recope) two years ago but the company turned a deaf ear