The feds did not waste any time, with two costly gasoline requirements having taken effect on January 1st.

The first is the new ethanol mandate -- part of the massive energy bill passed last August. Under the new law, 4 billion gallons of this corn-derived fuel additive will have to be included in the nation’s gasoline supply throughout 2006.

The second regulatory price boost will come as a result of the latest round of sulfur reductions from gasoline, pursuant to a…Clinton-era regulation. Similar low-sulfur rules applicable to diesel fuel also take effect in 2006 and will have an even bigger impact on diesel costs.

While Washington is doing things that will hurt consumers, it isn’t doing much to help them. These new gasoline regulations would not be so hard to take if EPA regulators or Congress used the occasion to clear away several of the old ones that also add to fuel prices.

The new ethanol and sulfur rules may each add several cents to the price per gallon.