NYC mayor: Gas shortages could go on a few days

Last Updated 6:07 PM ET

NEW YORK Mayor Michael Bloomberg says that fully resolving the shortages at gas stations could take a few days.

Bloomberg spoke at a briefing Saturday.

Long lines of vehicles and pedestrians formed after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the U.S. Department of Defense was opening the mobile fuel stations in New York City and on suburban Long Island.

The government then asked the public to stay away from the locations until emergency responders get their gas.

National Guard Col. Richard Goldenberg said Saturday afternoon that people who were already at the distribution sites would not be turned away.

Meanwhile, as New Jersey drivers reel from long lines and short tempers at gas stations, the state is moving to an odd-even gas rationing system in 12 counties starting today at noon.

Gov. Chris Christie ordered the system late Friday.

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On Saturday morning, Cuomo announced plans to deploy temporary fuel trucks in parts of New York City and Long Island to help provide gasoline to emergency vehicles and the general public.

At a press briefing Cuomo said 8 million gallons of gas has been delivered in New York, and another 28 million gallons is on the way.

The 5,000-gallon trucks have been provided by the U.S. Department of Defense at the direction of President Barack Obama, and were being deployed in coordination with the New York National Guard, CBS Station WCBS reports.

The fuel trucks will be set up at the Queens Armory, the Bronx Armory, the Brooklyn Armory, the Staten Island/Elizabeth Armory, and the Freeport Armory on Long Island.

Cars can refuel directly off the truck, with a limit of 10 gallons per vehicle. The gasoline will be free.

Generators are also being delivered to gas stations that do not have power and are unable to operate.

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Christie said the rationing plan will help ease fuel shortages and extended lines for gasoline that have occurred since Superstorm Sandy decimated the coast.

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Motorists have been frustrated by a collision of gasoline shortages and stations without electric power, prompting hours-long waits to gas up.

Drivers with license plates ending in an even number will be allowed to buy gas on even-numbered days, and those with plates ending in an odd number can make gas purchases on odd-numbered days.

A Christie spokesman tells the Star-Ledger in Newark that there currently are no restrictions on filling gas containers.

The order affects Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.

To help victims of Sandy, donations to the American Red Cross can be made by visiting Red Cross disaster relief, or you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

[TiredAmerican212]

lets have a free government, let the rich get richer while the poorer get poorer. the united states we will consist of billionaire tyrants and slaves. our economy is getting worse each and every yr, the national deficit just keeps on growing and the rescission is still standing strong, while the rich just keep getting richer. What we have is a bunch of politicians at the mercy of billionaires who are manipulating our country.

[alan_flam]

I think we should start Odd-Even protesting in front of Gracie Mansion.

Here is how it will work: On the Odd Gas filling days the Even will be protesting, and on the Even Gas filling days the Odd will be protesting........

We need Gas!!! We need Gas!!!

[TiredAmerican212]

lets have a free government, let the rich get richer while the poorer get poorer. the united states we will consist of billionaire tyrants and slaves. our economy is getting worse each and every yr, the national deficit just keeps on growing and the rescission is still standing strong, while the rich just keep getting richer. What we have is a bunch of politicians at the mercy of billionaires who are manipulating our country.

[plusaf]

post it again... it still won't make sense...

After one of the big hurricanes some years ago, Florida outlawed "price gouging on selling generators," so nobody could even absorb the extra cost of shipping generators INTO Florida.

So Floridians went without generators...

Morons... especially Cuomo.

And I lived through the odd/even days in the '70s in NJ... turned out it was a political thing... you could drive to Easton, PA, and get a fillup and a "check your oil, sir?" THERE.

Why? PA had voted for the encumbent President. NJ didn't.

Go figure.

[Hagar1992]

I think what bothers me the most is that after 9/11, most inhabitants of the tri-state area thought that the City had developed a solid disaster recovery plan. We understand the power being out, and we know that that's something that you really can't schedule the restoration of, but it seems that the entire gasoline issue kind of slipped through the cracks. In Jersey, people were fighting and getting crazy at the pumps as early as last Wednesday; in most New York locations, there are police deployed at those gas stations that do have power because drivers are waiting at least five hours to gas up (and you can imagine what reaction some fool trying to cut in line would cause), plus in many places, there's a $30 cap, which means you MIGHT get half a tank. It's just madness, and it seems that nobody thought about gas, especially as there have been tankers sitting in local ports all along.

As for all you people blaming Obama for the aftermath of Sandy, please shut up; you sound like tinfoil hat-wearing morons. Even Chris Christie said Obama had done plenty to help, and Christie is a strong Romney supporter, so why don't you redirect all of that crazy energy into donating money to help Sandy victims, and if you can't be bothered, just shut up and stop trying to turn other people's tragedies into a political platform.

[brokemutha]

Ran out of gas in Brooklyn and a kind soul sold me 5 gal from a plastic gas can for 200.00 that's $40 a gal, glad to see mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo were right when they talked about New Yorker's pulling together and helping each other in bad times. Thanks Don't believe me check NY craigslist they deliver.

[jpenalo]

This is ridiculous, all these state officials are preaching how they are working very hard to restored the city, however look at what is happening with the gas situation. They are sleeping in warm beds and have access to electricity. They don't really care about us, only about our votes. I think they are not doing enough and should have taken a more proactive approach to the condition. There are plenty of gas stations with power in Brooklyn, but only a few are getting gas. Why can the gas be distribute evenly?

[hypnotoad72]

Forget the politics, namecalling, accusations of "communist", and the rest.

In the 1970s, there was rationing.

In the 1940s during World War II, there was rationing. Everybody, even the rich, did their part ethically. Let's see that today, where even the rich took a hit instead of redistributing that amongst everyone else... (and not just an empty showpiece... that won't happen, natch...)

[jackbrooklynny]

SORRY...BARACK OBAMA DOES NOT GIVE A CRAP ABOUT NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY! Obama knows that N.Y and N.J. will always Vote Democrat... so... Obama took a few Photos on the Jersey Shore, had a helicopter ride and OBAMA FLEW TO LAS VEGAS ON THE SAME DAY! During the last 2 years Obama had done nothing but campaign for re-election.

NY and NJ have NO GAS, NO WATER, NO HEAT, NO FOOD...and Obama went to a $2,500 Fund Raising Dinner with Beyonce and JayZ...In case you were wondering Obama slept very well in the Presidential Suite at the Ritz- Carlton... While you are waiting 8 hours for a few gallons of gas...Obama burnt 32,0000 Gallons of Fuel in Air Force One.. MEANWHILE....NEW YORKERS WILL DRINK SEWER WATER AND EAT OUT OF DUMPSTERS

FLASH! The National Media is NOT airing any of the despair or misery that is happening . Obama Transparency? There is a TOTAL MEDIA BLACKOUT The National Media does not want to show anything that will hurt Obama's chances for re-election.

There is widespread looting, shooting and stabbings in all five boroughs of NYC. People are freezing, drinking contaminated water and scavenging from dumpsters. I guarantee you will not see what is really happening. FEMA says "everything is great". Truth: Government response is poor, ridiculos delays, completely not prepared. We are suffering, Obama is smiling and saying he is responsible. Obama says vote for Revenge. I will, screw you Obama. Jack from Brooklyn, New York. Lifelong Democrat

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Even GWB's "Brownie" stated that Obama was moving TOO fast to help.

Oh, the irony!

Perhaps you preferred Katrina's response?



By the way, why are you copying and pasting that post to EVERY story?

[NinthSt78]

With the subway stinking like a Parisienne sewer, that Keystone Pipiline is beginning to look rather attractive again, isn't it?

[NinthSt78]

With all the hypocritical griping we have heard about a tax return and conflict of interest, someone may need a full-service attendant there to make sure the customer gets the nozzle in the right hole.

[hypnotoad72]

Only if they volunteer to do the work, of course...

[NinthSt78]

We know the number on a pack of camels is too high there, but where to park them and figuring out whether they are 'odd' camels or even camels is a game we still haven't figured out. If an old camel and an old crow comes out of the machine, the politicians might be looking for another trade-in needing a paint job.

[alan_flam]

I think we should start Odd-Even protesting in front of Gracie Mansion.

Here is how it will work: On the Odd Gas filling days the Even will be protesting, and on the Even Gas filling days the Odd will be protesting........

We need Gas!!! We need Gas!!!