Nope, precisely right. :) See westexas' and memmel's comments in this thread.

But the mayor might not know that much. He may just think the SPR is there in case of shortages and there is a shortage in LA, therefore it is time to release it.

Actually he's the guvnur. My guess is he is ignorant of the facts. Of course I think it highly likely that some SPR oil will be released, assuming there is more working refinery capability than crude to supply them. I don't think anyone could argue that a short term release to cover a temprary weather related shortfall is a misuse of the SPR. But even if absolutely no physical damage happened, the shutdown, evacuate, evaluate, startup delays will mean product shortfalls are in the pipeline.

My read is a quid pro quo to GWB & Cheney.

LA Governor calls for SPR release just before election, (unlike evil, irresponsible Democrats who alos called for pre-election SPR releases). GWB wisely does so, in excess of any production shortfall.

Alan