Around the nation: No gas in the Southeast
October 3, 2008
From the Patriot Post digest 10/3/08:
Long lines at the pump and empty gas stations with no fuel have been a common sight here in the Southeast this week as gas shortages from hurricanes Ike and Gustav continue. “The pipelines were ready to receive product quickly after the hurricanes. It was a question of having power to deliver product from existing storage either at terminals or refineries,” said the president and CEO of the Association of Oil Pipelines. Because refineries lacked power after the storms, delivery delays have been further prolonged, leaving motorists searching for fuel.
Southern drivers lucky enough to find it have had to pay higher prices at the pump. AAA reports that the national average for regular unleaded fuel is $3.63 per gallon, but in Atlanta drivers are paying around $4.03. Higher prices haven’t stopped motorists from filling up whenever they can. “Motorists reacted by engaging in some panic buying,” said Geoff Sundstrom, an analyst for AAA. “They start topping off their gas tank, they come in with a boat or an RV that they don’t intend to use, or they’re driving up with six fuel cans and trying to fill those.” Fortunately, AAA predicts the shortages will begin easing this week. Maybe we won’t have to walk to the office after all. Who needs exercise, anyway?
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