Washington Eases Gasoline Rules as Iran Pressure Campaign Jolts Fuel Costs

Washington is tightening the screws on Iran and loosening the rules on gasoline at the same time as Americans are paying more than $4 a gallon. The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday authorized an early switch to cheaper winter-grade gasoline, allowing sales of gasoline blended with 10% ethanol beginning September 1 rather than waiting for the normal mid-September seasonal transition. The administration says ending summer-blend requirements early could add hundreds of thousands of barrels per day to domestic gasoline supply and provide…