Gas Shortage

[Langston]

In Atlanta, gas stations are closing because they're out of gas - completely out. In Augusta, GA - there are lines to try to get the last of the gas before it's gone there, too.

Gas prices

Monday morning: $2.47
Monday night: $2.51
Tuesday morning: $2.59
Tuesday night: $2.69
Wednesday morning: $2.79
Wednesday afternoon: $2.89

now: not available

Two of the major pipelines into Georgia are shutdown - cutting some major percentage (don't have the actual number handy) of available refined petroleum products. Furthermore, I was told that one of the two pipelines to Hartsfield airport (busiest airport in the world as measured by the number of flights per year) is also shutdown which should start affecting flight availability for the entire SouthEast (or more) in very short order.

Is it the end of the world? Maybe... but I'm just glad I'm home officed and don't have any out-of-town trips scheduled right now.

With all of the tragedy in New Orleans right now... we're just seeing the beginning of the effects of Katrina.

What's the effect on your area after the storm?

[Harrison]

Gas prices are up to 3.00 here

[Gypsiyee]

2.89

That's a great price.. lowest I've seen around here is like 2.95.

[Minrott]

10 cents over night, up to 2.79.

Other than that the high pressure system Katrina has shoved up our way has meant beautiful sunny days with low humidity and high visibility.

[Yamori]

Gas prices were $3.30 when I stopped today, though I suspect they were just being assholes and artificially jacking up the price because of all the bad oil news.

[The Kizzy]

They have gas stations in Africa?


I paid $3.09 this morning. Thank god I drive a neon.

[Jennay]

I filled up my tank before the hurricane was over when prices were $2.64/gallon (which to me is HIGH)... then on the way home from work yesterday I saw some stations had it for $3.15/gallon!! Fucking price gougers.

[Langston]

Well - since gas stations are EMPTY at the moment... is it gouging to increase prices 20% due to low supply and extremely high demand?

I, personally, don't think so. It's natural economics... now if they had double or tripled prices - yes, I'd be throwing rocks at their windows.

[Langston]

Oh - forgot to mention...

While I was at the gas station today (since I couldn't get gas, I got a toffee bar instead... woot!), the attendant was on the microphone that speaks out to the pump telling folks that they were out of gas. One lady started yelling at him about not having any gas... his response to her was:

"Listen lady, yelling at me isn't going to make gas appear in the pumps. I'm more pissed off than you - I'm losing tons of money because I can't sell you the gas."

Doesn't sound much like price gouging to me... and that was from the guy charging $.10 less per gallon than the station across the street.

[10sun]

I wish I had picked up my great grandfather's tank from his farm earlier this year, would have been nice to stock up before prices went up so much =(

[Phlegm]

It's understandable that the south are out of gas due to the hurricane fucking up the pipelines and the refineries. But out here in the west where they have their own refineries and such, the fucking prices still went up over 20 cents per gallon overnight. That's fucking price gouging.

[DangerPaul]

25% of US refining capability is gone. so... less supply = higher price, southern US, Midwest or wherever...

[Tadpole]

Left fourth period at school and drove past Turkey Hill, 2.69 a gallon...came back 45 mins later from the mall at they are up to 2.79 ;\

[Myg0t]

If any of you live in California I have to drive from Paso Robles (half an hours north of San Luis Obispo) 2 and a half hours to San Jose for hockey practice 2 times a week. We spend a small fortune in gas prices, and im not sure what im going to do if they get up to something like 3.40 + And i drive 2 and a half hours because that is the closest ice rink from me.. PASO SUX

I dont want to bring up anything political or anything but....

I heard that Bush has tons of his own oil stored away, so when we get desperate for it, and he is out of office, he can sell it to us for bank. Like I said, I just heard this once, and dont know if it is even true. What are your guys's thoughts?

[Phlegm]

Bush is going to release oils from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to keep production of gasoline and other fuels steady.

[The Kizzy]

My roommates had tacos for dinner last night, no gas shortage in my house.....ewww

[Langston]

I heard that Bush has tons of his own oil stored away, so when we get desperate for it, and he is out of office, he can sell it to us for bank. Like I said, I just heard this once, and dont know if it is even true. What are your guys's thoughts?

I heard that Al Gore invented the internet.

[Myg0t]

Haha ok point taken =)

I didnt believe much in it myself, just was putting it out there.

[DangerPaul]

Bush is going to release oils from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to keep production of gasoline and other fuels steady.

without refineries to take care of the reserves, its well... wasted. Way to go GW, could have been done months ago when gas prices started to soar.

[Harrison]

It wasn't an emergency before.

[Langston]

Refineries were already running at capacity. We need more refineries - not more oil.

[Martrae]

Blame the enviro-wackos for that. They haven't allowed a new refinery to be built for 25 years.

[mofish]

Nope. Blame the Republican oil company corporatist whores for not lifting a finger to research, subsidize or develop BIODIESEL, or any other of a number of alternate fuel sources.

[Martrae]

Of course, because the goal of all businesses is to develop things that will damage their business....

[Harrison]

I make billions for doing (x), I want to help develop method (y) so I can lose my business!

Genius!!