Oil Company Execs to Meet With Board

SACRAMENTO -- Executives of the 10 major oil companies in California have been invited to appear at an April 25 meeting of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to discuss the factors that have led to recent price increases in gasoline and diesel fuel.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Air Resources Board headquarters building, 2020 L Street, in Sacramento.

Staff members for the Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission also will give presentations on current and projected future prices, supply and demand for gasoline and diesel fuel in California and the rest of the country.

Invitations to appear at the meeting have been sent to Exxon Corp. USA, Chevron USA Products Company, ARCO Products Company, Unocal Corp., Texaco Refining and Marketing, Inc.; Mobil Corp., Shell Oil Refining Co., Ultramar Inc., Kern Oil & Refining Co., and Tosco Refining Company.

ARB Chairman John D. Dunlap said he asked for the discussion on fuel issues because recent price increases, especially those imposed last week, are difficult to understand and justify.

Directions: From I-80 east or west, take the 15th or 16th Street exits. Head east on X Street to 21st Street. Turn left (north) and proceed to L Street. Turn left again; the ARB building is between 20th and 21st streets, six blocks east of the State Capitol in downtown Sacramento (Thomas Bros. guide - pg. 297, E- 5).

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.