US advisers ask for end to all natural gas controls

August 11, 1981

Energy advisers to President Reagan have recommended the decontrol of prices on all domestic natural gas -- a move that would cause large increases in consumer bills, the New York Times reports.

The plan, likely to meet heavy resistance in Congress, would begin to phase out price controls on all natural gas -- controls that were to be partly eliminated in 1985. The administration contends that by beginning decon trol now, the expected leap in prices will be gradual.