Southern Gas Shortage Hard On Drivers

Hurricane-Induced Shortage Triggers Filling Station Lines, Price Gouging Throughout Region

(CBS/AP)  Motorists are rising before dawn so they can be at the filling station when the delivery truck arrives. Some are skipping work or telecommuting. Others are taking the extreme step - for Atlanta - of switching to public transportation.

Across a section of the South, a hurricane-induced gasoline shortage that was expected to last only a few days is dragging into its third week, and experts say it could persist into mid-October. The Atlanta area has been hit particularly hard, along with Nashville and western North Carolina.

Those lucky enough to find gas are paying more than drivers elsewhere around the country.

"I've used up gas just looking for gas," said Larry Jenkins, a construction worker who pulled his red pickup truck into a Citgo station in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday. The sign said $3.99 a gallon, but the pumps were closed. Many filling stations in the area have not had gas for days.

"Right now, I'll pay anything for gas," Jenkins said. "I don't care if it's $5 or $6 a gallon. I need it."

The shortage started with the one-two punch of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which shut down refineries along the Gulf Coast. Now, more than two weeks after Ike, many refineries are still making fuel at reduced levels.

While other parts of the country get gasoline from a variety of domestic and overseas sources, the Southeast relies heavily on two pipelines that carry fuel from the Gulf of Mexico. Because the gasoline moves at just 3 to 5 mph, it can take up to 10 days to reach Atlanta.

A tendency among panicky drivers in the hardest-hit areas to top off their tanks every time they pass an open station has only made matters worse.

"Fuel is coming back into the system, but as soon as it comes in, it's being sucked back out by consumers who are afraid the shortage is going to continue," said Ben Brockwell of the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, N.J.

In the meantime, government agencies have postponed public hearings, community colleges have canceled classes, and some companies have provided vans for carpooling or encouraged employees to work from home.

Hours-long lines, "No gas" signs and plastic bags covering fuel-pump nozzles are familiar sights around Atlanta, where drivers have become intimately familiar with fuel delivery schedules, rising before daybreak when they know gas is coming to a certain station.

"I was just in Atlanta yesterday. There is no gasoline in Atlanta, in Charlotte, in Chattanooga. It's like a Third World country," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday on ABC.

Police officers and a security guard were on hand to manage the flow of cars at a downtown Atlanta gas station around midday Monday.

And in North Carolina, a man was arrested for allegedly pulling a gun on another driver who supposedly cut ahead of him in line while they waited for gas, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

Kathy Burdett, 49, of Forest Park, said the shortage ruined her weekend plans to visit Stone Mountain with out-of-town guests.

"I didn't go anywhere all weekend and we kept close to home," said Burdett, who had to hunt for the gasoline her friends needed to make it home to Tennessee.

The average price for regular gas Monday was $3.94 per gallon in Georgia, 30 cents higher than the national average, according to the AAA. Motorists were paying an average of $3.89 a gallon Monday in North Carolina and $3.80 in South Carolina.

Authorities in North Carolina and Tennessee said they were investigating reports of price-gouging. Likewise in Georgia, where the state's consumer affairs office has subpoenaed sales records from 130 gas stations to see whether the trend of panic buying led greedy station owners to take drivers for a ride. One such station was allegedly selling gas for $8.49 a gallon, Strassmann reports.

Even in Atlanta, a city notorious for long commutes and traffic, some drivers were turning to public transportation. Although the MARTA bus and subway system did not have ridership numbers for September, a spokeswoman said parking lots at stations were busier than usual.

As she waited in a gas line at an Atlanta station, 27-year-old Kasheeda Washington said she planned to start taking the bus because driving from her home in suburban Marietta to two jobs in Atlanta and to classes at the downtown campus of Georgia State University had become too expensive.

"I would have never thought this day would come when I would have to wait for gas," she said.

[spiritwalk]

27-year-old Kasheeda Washington said .....
"I would have never thought this day would come when I would have to wait for gas," she said.
...................................................

Well Kasheeda, 30 years ago we were all waiting in line to get 10 gallons of gas every other day. People who were driving before you were born remember that, so they are hoarding the gas now.
The hurricanes hit Texas, but they have gas. It is just your region that doesn''t, because people are being selfish and making sure they get theirs and saying sc--w everyone else.
Which is what the banks did and that is why we are in a finacial crisis today.
The American perspective, your greed bad, my greed good.

[bob5ford]

But just think of all the gas they aren''t using and the money that isn''t going to the Saudi terrorists!

[gramto8]

One of the problems is that some of these idiots are waiting in line with their cars IDLING!!! They haven''t got sense enough to shut their cars off and save the gas in them. This is exacerbating the problem even more with them having to top off their tanks once or twice a day. I''m hoping to have enough gas in my car to get to a station that has gas. The situation caught me with a low tank and no $$$ to get any until payday.

[claydowner]

Many countries in the world have worked very hard at eliminating or reducing oil imports into their economies. Sweden, Japan, Brazil, and many other European countries are working very hard at renewables, energy conservation, and highly efficient cars. I wonder when the day is going to come when the American public says in a loud clear deliberate voice: "We have to get our country off of oil totally." We need to recognize that we have reached Peak Oil or are very near it.

We have to invest in a T. Boone Pickens energy plan. Windfarms need to be built on the Plains states and off of the New England coastline all the way to Virginia. There must be large solar photovoltaics and solar thermal plants in the Southwestern desert. All of this must be brought to the consumers by a smart grid. We have to have cars that get 50 MPG. We need cellulosic ethanol in abundance for heating and transportation fuel. We need plugin hybrid electric cars mass produced.

This is the only real way to get rid of gas lines. We have to get rid of gasoline period. Brazil, Japan, Sweden, and other countries have reduced oil imports or will soon be rid of oil entirely. We need a T.Boone Pickens energy plan. We need it as rapidly as possible for our ecnonomic and national security.

[whitemale08]

How Dare Republicans like junkyard dogs Sean Hannity critisize Jimmy Carter for ''long gas lines''????

How dare he???

How dare Republican junkyard dog Rush Limbaugh tell the American public that ''tax cuts for the rich'' would avoid the ''long gas lines'' of the 70''s under Jimmy Carter.

Like I said Jimmy Carter and Paul Volcker SAVED AMERICA from the wrecked economy of Republicans Nixon and Ford.

We simply cannot tolerate anymore of this failed Republican phylosophy of ''trickle-down voodoo'' economics.

Even for once Republican George W. Bush admits he failed the economy.

Why in the world would anyone go for another Republican Bush term like John McCain or even worse an ignorant Republican nobody like Sarah Palin, who knows more about eye-liner then foreign policy.

[jlagat]

Southerners should be fine with the gas shortage; they have their bibles and this whole gas shortage thing is god''s will anyway (if it wasn''t, it wouldn''t have happened).

[mtmaidj]

I live in the mountains of N.C. - am not a Bible thumper and resent generalizations about our region.

[myopinion1]

There is an inherent problem with people in this country waiting for gas. There is no reason this should be happening. There is always going to be a ruse to make a panic like this to keep us wanting more. It''s so obvious. Why isn''t the government doing something? They probably want this to continue.

[myopinion1]

why would they want this to continue?

Posted by jamesm12341 at 07:44 AM

The government needs to reinforce our dependency on oil, especially foreign oil. The big wigs in government line their pockets with money from big oil. Lucrative as it is, they need to create a crisis from time to time. Notice when a storm goes through the Gulf, even BEFORE it hits, gas prices rise, although no refineries have even been damaged. It''s all in the mind for these people. If the government can get food, temporary homes and supplies to people within a day of a disaster, having it trucked in no less, they could divert some fuel to ensure a good supply.

[gramto8]

why would they want this to continue?

Posted by jamesm12341 at 07:44 AM : Oct 01, 2008

It keeps their ''Drill NOW!'' screaming alive and in the faces of a large portion of the country. Even if your part of the country isn''t experiencing these shortages as we are, you are still hearing about them. Therefore, their message is still in your face.

[anna8297]

I live in the Asheville, NC area and we have had little or no gas available since September 13. Some of the tanker truck drivers have reported being fearful when they drop off loads because they are being stalked by anxious drivers from the minute they turn off the interstate. We have been given a variety of reasons for why gas flow to the area has been interrupted. Everything from the refineries shutting down, to the "switch from summer blend to winter blend," to the cost of trucking gas into the mountains. It all seems to be manufactured, because if I drive 40 miles west into the mountains of Tennessee, there is plenty of gas selling at $.60/gal less. And despite what the statewide average is, we are paying $4.19/gal at a minimum for regular gas. I am perplexed as to why it has taken so long for the national media to pick up on the story and frustrated that no one seems willing to do any investigative journalism to find out what really is behind the shortage. The public here isn''t buying the excuses. And frankly, we are tired of waiting hours in line for a tank of gas for no good reason. If you want more information, check out our local paper at www.citizentimes.com

[southpaw651]

Obviously jlagat didn''t live through the 1970''s when gas was rationed with the "odd/even" numbers of your license plate.Anyone remember that? It''s no laughing matter when people panic over the lack of gasoline in their area.Claydowner and cwazywabt are right...Politics aside we,as a country,need to ween ourselves from this dependence of other countries oil. This makes us weak and vulnerable, subject to the whim of dictators who don''t care about the United States or it''s citizens.Think about it.....

[docpeter1953]

From the above article, "Right now, I''ll pay anything for gas," Jenkins said. "I don''t care if it''s $5 or $6 a gallon. I need it."
________________

There you go man. Give into them. Just give up and let the powers that be know that Big Oil has won.

[xmanborg]

If people in the south had smaller cars and less SUV and Big Trucks then there might be more gas to go around.

If you pray for Gas it will Come. !

[docpeter1953]

Notice when a storm goes through the Gulf, even BEFORE it hits, gas prices rise, although no refineries have even been damaged. It''''s all in the mind for these people. If the government can get food, temporary homes and supplies to people within a day of a disaster, having it trucked in no less, they could divert some fuel to ensure a good supply.

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 08:13 AM : Oct 01, 2008
_______________

Well, actually, even though no refineries are damaged it takes time to restart the refining process. It takes 3 to 5 days to shut down a refinery, you can''t just turn off a light switch, things can and will explode if not done properly. After the storm, and after they allow the workers back into the refinery (in this case Port Arthur Beaumont and Houston areas one week AFTER Ike) they need to inspect the refinery for damage. That alone can take over a week, or it could explode. Finally they have to start the entire process of refining all over again, simple things like bringing the temp up, putting oil into the pipes for refining, etc. This can take several days before a drop of gasoline is produced. Considering that Ike hit the area where 20% of America''s oil is refined. We are looking at 3 weeks to a month IF everything at the refinery is "ok", before a drop of gasoline is put out.

While I hate that Big Oil is making obscene profits, your theory is all wrong.

[easeup-2009]

The hurricanes shut refineries down. Period.

Why doesn''t anyone even TRY to read the articles before posting???

Sheesh...........

[anna8297]

I could buy the argument about refineries being shut down and reduced capacity, etc., if it wasn''t for the fact that, as I said in my previous post, 40 miles away there is plenty of gas at much lower prices. And from what the local news is reporting, all gas in our region comes out of the same distribution center in SC.

[emelder]

I wonder if voters in Atlanta, Charlotte, or Chattanooga will be voting for the latest Republican whiz kid, John McCain??? NOT!!!!

[thevicar1]

Use the Hamish Solution:

Get a buggy
Get a horse
Get a pooper-scooper

problem solved

[easeup-2009]

I wonder if voters in Atlanta, Charlotte, or Chattanooga will be voting for the latest Republican whiz kid, John McCain??? NOT!!!!

Posted by emelder at 09:45 AM : Oct 01, 2008

I''ll bet they''re smart enough not to blame politicians for hurricanes.

and then there''s you......

[upto1947]

Southern Gas Shortage is a big big big lie by thr oil companies.

[upto1947]

easeup: they wright these articles for people like you. Hopping they sell you the lie.

[easeup-2009]

easeup: they wright these articles for people like you. Hopping they sell you the lie.

Posted by Upto1947 at 09:56 AM : Oct 01, 2008

Do you wear your foil hat shiny-side in or shiny-side out? Which way offers maximum protection?

[emelder]

I wonder if voters in Atlanta, Charlotte, or Chattanooga will be voting for the latest Republican whiz kid, John McCain??? NOT!!!!

Posted by emelder at 09:45 AM : Oct 01, 2008

I''''ll bet they''''re smart enough not to blame politicians for hurricanes.

and then there''''s you......

Posted by easeup at 09:47 AM

Naw ... you miss the point. Let me explain. All the latest national disgraces aren''t about politics -- they''re about lack of PLANNING by administration officials. Katrina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Gas Lines, failure to act in time with the financial crisis. Your cute answers don''t help. We need a change of Administration ... enough with the Republicans!!! ... we''ve all had enough!!!! ... and OMG a big NO to Palin/McSame!

[easeup-2009]

Naw ... you miss the point. Let me explain. All the latest national disgraces aren''''t about politics -- they''''re about lack of PLANNING by administration officials. Katrina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Gas Lines, failure to act in time with the financial crisis. Your cute answers don''''t help. We need a change of Administration ... enough with the Republicans!!! ... we''''ve all had enough!!!! ... and OMG a big NO to Palin/McSame!

Posted by emelder at 10:14 AM : Oct 01, 2008

So you blame the government for hurricanes shutting down refineries because of katrina, etc.? You miss the point....let me explain. THE HURRICANES SHUT NDOWN THE REFINERIES SO THERE ISN''T ENOUGH GAS!

[emelder]

So you blame the government for hurricanes shutting down refineries because of katrina, etc.? You miss the point....let me explain. THE HURRICANES SHUT NDOWN THE REFINERIES SO THERE ISN''''T ENOUGH GAS!

Posted by easeup at 10:24 AM

No. It''s a PATTERN by this Administration. Zero planning ... zero contingencies in place for emergencies ... cowboy diplomacy ... clueless all across the board. It''s Obama time!

[besttyper]

I''ve lived a long time, including the "gas shortage" of the 70''s when the speed limit was reduced to 55, and I find it strange that hurricanes being the excuse has only emerged in the last decade. I think we have been drilling in the Gulf longer than that, and I am 100% positive hurricanes have been around a lot longer than the last decade.

[docpeter1953]

Since we are on this topic, here are a few facts, which can read more about at:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html

A barrell of oil is 42 gallons. One barrell of oil yields, (approximately):

19.15 gal gasoline
9.21 gal Diesel
1.75 gal heating oil
1.76 gal heavy fuel oil (Residual)
3.82 gal jet fuel
1.72 gal liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
7.27 gal other products (plastic bags at the store)

At the above site is a simplified schematic for the processing of oil at a refinery.

Enjoy the reading!

[docpeter1953]

I''''ve lived a long time, including the "gas shortage" of the 70''''s when the speed limit was reduced to 55, and I find it strange that hurricanes being the excuse has only emerged in the last decade. I think we have been drilling in the Gulf longer than that, and I am 100% positive hurricanes have been around a lot longer than the last decade.

Posted by besttyper at 10:50 AM : Oct 01, 2008
______________________

While I will agree with your comments about hurricanes being around a lot longer than since the 70''s, and other comments you have made, you also need to think more globally. Since the 70''s our gas and oil consumption nationally & globally have significantly increased. The problem; no new modern refineries have been created to keep production up with demand. From what I can find on the internet, there have not been any new oil refineries built in america since the late 1970''s. Some have been expanded and updated, but not nearly enough to keep up with demand.

We can blame either Big Oil or the govt for not keeping up with the growing pop and demand. Big Oil should have been placing much of their $B in profit for new construction, BUT, and this is a big one, nobody wants a new refinery in their backyard. Where do we FORCE people to allow the govt to build them. The US govt, through emminent domain could legally do this, but it would be a BIG fight between the Fed. Govt, and state and local Govt.s.

Would you support a new refinery next door to where you live?

[easeup-2009]

I''''ve lived a long time, including the "gas shortage" of the 70''''s when the speed limit was reduced to 55, and I find it strange that hurricanes being the excuse has only emerged in the last decade. I think we have been drilling in the Gulf longer than that, and I am 100% positive hurricanes have been around a lot longer than the last decade.

Posted by besttyper at 10:50 AM : Oct 01, 2008

It''s very simple. The demand for gasoline has risen dramatically over the last decade or so and the capacity to refine oil has remained the same. In fact, there hasn''t been a new refinery built in this country in over 30 years.

The supply/demand ratio is extremely tight right now, so any disruption will have an effect.

If anyone wants to play the blame game, you can start with who''s been blocking new refinery construction.

[cmlallday]

Well here I am in NC minding my own business and all of a sudden I''m a "pot bellied, hushpuppy stuffed red neck!" Imagine that! Goodness, what''s up with all the anger and stereotyping?
Yes we do have a gasoline shortage. No, people are not
panicking in the streets but there is a problem. We are doing our best to adjust. Also, I had to drive to DC over the weekend and I noticed that when I crossed the state line into VA gasoline was suddenly plentiful and only $3.59 per gallon. So there seems to be a lack of flexibility in the gasoline distribution system. There doesn''t seem to be a mechanism for moving gasoline readily from one section of the the country to another. Something to ponder over. But gosh that''s just the opine of a potbellied, hushpuppy eat''in red neck. I really don''t drive an SUV. You really ought to give peace and hushpuppies a chance.

[docpeter1953]

Part of the overally solution needs to be more "green technologies", and, yes, yellow red.

We already have technology available to set up many wind turbines to harvest wind energy and solar technology. We need to build the infrastructure and grids, not likely to happen while we are spending $10B a month in Iraq. In vest in green technologies on Wall Street. These technologies are available.

We have the technology for, dare I say it, Nuclear power. we just need to find a place to build, again as I said in an earlier post emminent domain is the only likely way we will ever be able to do this one.

Between the above we could produce all the electricity we need.

Next we need to get the Big Three off their collective butt5 and working on cost effective electirc, hybrids, natural gas cars. we need to get rid of, or tax the he11 out of, big personal vehicles (SUVs, and gas hogs).

Can all of this be done? YES!

[nlm2383]

Use the Hamish Solution:

Get a buggy
Get a horse
Get a pooper-scooper

problem solved


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by TheVicar1 at 09:46 AM : Oct 01, 2008

Um, Amish?

[greeneyes222]

Some of this gouging wasn''t hurricane induced - the companies involved got greedy and raised prices before Ike, before refineries were shut down, and before any pipeline disruption. Miraculously, they had plenty of fuel available once they raised their prices.

Other cities on the same pipeline (there aren''t that many of them) didn''t have the same shortages or the same price increases.

This was gouging pure and simple. If they''d been smart about it and waited till the hurricane hit they might have gotten away with it. Somebody jumped the gun.

So CBS, I don''t really care what your oil "expert" has to say on the subject. This was a bigger story than he indicates and is going to be a big story down the road with the various states investigating. Those of us forced to stay home at the time had nothing better to do than dig up evidence and save it.

[middleman8]

There is no, repeat no gas shortage. One simple option would alleviate the situation.
That is to bring all the U S military that are roaming the planet, freeing the free world home. They are using millions of gallons a day.

[kittykatty2]

I hope the people in Texas who got the full brunt of Ike aren''t reading these self centered posts. Yeah, we have to ease up a little on our gas usage...but folks, we still have our possessions. You need to put this in perspective.

[antoniof123]

There is no, repeat no gas shortage. One simple option would alleviate the situation.
That is to bring all the U S military that are roaming the planet, freeing the free world home. They are using millions of gallons a day.

Posted by middleman8 at 11:55 AM : Oct 01, 2008

You are forgetting the Red states are helping us stay in Iraq, and the rest of the world because they fear their own shawdow.

Sometimes people just need to "DEAL" with certain issues instead of wasting energy trying to figure out whom or what to blame problems on. That seems to be the norm in this country lately, trying to put the blame on someone or something. We as a nation have become so blatantly lazy and wanting everything to be perfect we lose our sense of our own responsibility. People during the depression and the Second World War had to "DEAL" with a lot worse, like a shortage of food. Rationing of gasoline was something else they had to deal with. Our nation used to be a super power, but here in the 21st century, we have become a nation of %u201Ccry babies%u201D%u2026.

[thevicar1]

Would you support a new refinery next door to where you live? ----------------------------------------------------- Posted by docpeter1953


Not if it interferes with the new prison!

[gordon102-2009]

Interesting! Comments in this article are blaming political candidates, political parties, hurricanes, lack of new refineries, don%u2019t drill here or there slow moving pipelines, etc. But not one blames the internal combustion engine that has been basically getting the same mileage since the Model %u2018T%u2019.
What about the Ford compact being sold in Europe that gets 61 mpg, but can%u2019t be sold in the USA because of emissions. 61 mpg verses the 5 to 16 for an SUV, trucks and busses. Emissions?
In the %u201870%u2019s mandates were put in place to improve the fuel economy of all vehicles on our highways, but the automaker lobbyists got that thrown out in the %u201890%u2019s.
During the fuel shortage of the %u201870%u2019s, the minimum purchase was set at 10 gallons to eliminate the 1 to 3 gallon sales to reduce the long lines. The fuel shortage went away. Maybe the South East needs to implement a similar rule.

[xmanborg]

If you take John McCains Depends for a week and put them all in a Closed Hot container it will generate lots of Methane and you can power a small city block with all that gas.

[zredhot]

We had plenty of Hurricanes during the Clinton era and the price of Gas never skyrocketed! The Bush administration ruined this economy period. The war has done more damage financially than anything else. The people of Iraq never asked the US to come to Iraq to help set up Democracy. Bush went there for one reason and one reason only and it''s a combined one reason. To take out Sadam Hussein and gain control of the Oil. He also took the American people along for the ride getting people killed uneccessarily.
And now the with the media''s help, Bush wants to continually shovel more bs down our throats about why there is a gas shortage down South! Please! The only reason why there is a gas shortage down south is because of Bush and his evil doings. Why is that Virginia who is neighbor to the Carolina''s has gas but Atlanta doesn''t? Hmmm... And there was a gas shortage back in the 70''s when Carter was President.
I was a kid but I remember waiting at the rest stop on the Mass Pike in the back of the Station wagon for a couple of hours in line at the Gas Pump. It wasn''t fun. These Hurricanes were not the cause of this gas shortage. Bush is the cause of this gas shortage.
And people should be getting angry and getting fed up and saying enough is enough. How much more are you gonna take before you''ve had enough of Bush and the Republicans?

[zredhot]

In response to gordon102

Who do you think decides what types of engines and vehicles are made for the US? The government! Which leads to Bush!
Get a clue...

[phydeux2]

Is your name GRAHAM? --- Posted by rharrin1

Does it matter? HE''S RIGHT!!

The US has become a country of human cabbages who are spoiled by the microwave generation. Dinner''s done in 3 minutes, the movies are on-demand, and the Caller ID is on the TV set so you don''t even have to lift a finger to look at the cordless phone sitting right next to you.

And when a bit of bad weather makes life difficult you want to whine and cry like a petulant toddler who didn''t get their way.

[easeup-2009]

Who do you think decides what types of engines and vehicles are made for the US? The government! Which leads to Bush!
Get a clue...

Posted by zredhot at 02:20 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Are you kidding? The government designs the engines & the cars?? Not the automakers????

The fact that you''re going to vote scares me a little.....

[florenzo3]

i think the government needs to do something about encouraging and speeding up renewable energy...we are depending too much on oil and its hurting us.

Lorenzo
www.welcometoinsurance.com

[alphamare909]

I am in Red Bank outside of Chattanooga, TN. We have no gas of any kind within 10 miles on here. ALL the local stations seemed to run out of gas on the same day within a few hours of each other last week.

We call neighbors to find gas or ask when deliveries are made. We all dash out to get $20 worth. Yet, in North GA in Ft. Oglethorpe, there is gas available. you are on fumes, a 20 miles drive is not an option.

It is not a matter of everyone filling up; it is not a matter of my "gas guzzleing" van that gets 26MPG in town. It is a matter that we have FULL gas storage tanks on Bonnie Oaks Drive here in Chattanooga. They will not provide the fuel that the local stations need on a timely basis. The local gas stations have to run completely out and then order more fuel. The suppliers, on Bonnie Oaks, then send what they feel like sending. Perhaps a full tanker, perhaps 1/4 full. We "Chattanoogans" were told by the local media (TV and radio) that Colonial Pipelines (that provides our fuel to the storage tanks) were running at 90% capacity from the gulf only 5 days after Ike went through. Yet we are struggling to get to work, church and shopping.

We pay from $3.84 to $4.56 per gallon for regular - when we can find it. The distributors price gouged before the Hurricane and are doing the same now. Stations were told that the fuel they bought would be .50 to $1.00 more a gallon and they could pay it or do without.

I am riding my horse to work tomorrow.

[docpeter1953]

Would you support a new refinery next door to where you live? ----------------------------------------
------------- Posted by docpeter1953


Not if it interferes with the new prison!

Posted by TheVicar1 at 01:25 PM : Oct 01, 2008

___________________

No, it will be on the other side of your house, caticorner to the new nuclear power plant across the street.

[displeased]

Who do you think decides what types of engines and vehicles are made for the US? The government! Which leads to Bush!
Get a clue...
Posted by zredhot at 02:20 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Are you kidding? The government designs the engines & the cars?? Not the automakers????
Posted by easeup

I think zredhot''s point was government sets the standards for gas mileage and emissions and so forth and the car companies will do the minimal when designing and engineering to meet those standards.

[easeup-2009]

I think zredhot''''s point was government sets the standards for gas mileage and emissions and so forth and the car companies will do the minimal when designing and engineering to meet those standards.

Posted by Displeased at 04:14 PM : Oct 01, 2008

I think if he wore a real tall hat he could hide his point.