Local Shell representative Rafael Maradiaga is advising Dominicans to use fuel rationally, after announcing that this is the only way to counteract the effects of the higher prices of crude oil on the international markets. Maradiaga was speaking at a ceremony presenting a new type of regular gasoline which will offer better mileage in addition to keeping the vehicle engine clean. He referred to the issue at a time when concern about the high prices of crude oil will force the DR government to disburse an additional US$300 million, so that the total expenditure on oil this year will reach US$2.7 billion. He also stated that the consumption of LPG has increased close to 10% over the past months due to the transfer of users from regular gasoline to this fuel for vehicles. This is affecting the government’s income, because there is no tax on LPG as opposed to gasoline.