Gas shortage plagues the Southeast

AP ^ | Mon Sep 29, 8:07 PM ET | By KATE BRUMBACK, Associated Press Writer

[Babsig]

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

[Babsig]

I live in Upstate SC and gas stations are either out or charging 3.99 gal for gas. The question needs to be asked,"Why only in the south are there still shortages?" AND Why only in the Southeast? Could it be that the powers to be want to rein in the south 30 days before an election? I am not a conpiracy nut, but people are starting to wonder why only in the southeast is this happening.

[Diogenesis]

Probably a conspiracy which includes the DNC and the MSM.
So don't expect any investigation by Congress or the DOJ.

[doodad]

Because we only have on main artery and no refineries. Combined with slack governor, anti gouging laws and the gas blend required by the EPA and you have no gas.

It is better here this morning. But, still little premium. It took me a week to find prem; I filled up yesterday. Three hours on Monday to find and fill regular for the wife.

[NautiNurse]

Is it possible the affected states have particular formulation requirement(s) they are not willing to waive even though the feds waived the same?

In our area of Florida, there was a shortage of mid-grade and premium. No problem with regular...may be because the state keeps a reserve of fuel during hurricane season.

[Liberty Valance]

This does seem a bit odd. Coastal refineries should be back up and running by now.

[thackney]

Because the Southeast depends on the Gulf Coast for the refining and only one pipeline that serves that area. There were problems with both.

Drill Offshore the East coast and use the oil to feed some refineries in your area. That should prevent the problem from happening in the future.

[Mike Fieschko]

Not all of the Southeast is affected. Eastern NC and the Triangle have fewer shortages. Gas terminals work furiously to pump up local supplies, from Raleigh's WRAL-TV:

[Allocation limits at terminals have] led some retailers to scramble and turn to other terminals, including Wilmington, Charleston, S.C., and Virginia. ...

The Triangle is more fortunate than Charlotte and western North Carolina because it is straddled by terminals in Selma, Apex and Greensboro ...

Gas Pipeline To Atlanta Running At 100 Percent Capacity [Colonial; 1-2 wks till supplies normal].

When the TX refineries shut down, the Colonial Pipeline runs at less than 100% capacity. And, if there aren't alternative delivery methods, spare inventory or refinery capacity, shortages result.

Gas shortages: get ready for more [razor-thin spare gas capacity; inventory lowest since 1967].

Gas could stabilize in weeks [GA; week+ to restart TX refineries, fuel moves 3-5mph thru pipeline].

[AnAmericanMother]

No conspiracy - just the oil bidness.

Colonial is the only large pipeline into the SE (Plantation moves only a fraction of the gas that Colonial does).

Unfortunately the gas only moves at about 5 mph through the pipeline. It takes it awhile to get from the Texas gulf coast to Atlanta and Charlotte at 5 mph!

Add to that the fact that people are filling up when they hit a half tank (or even 3/4) and filling up all their cars instead of buying just what they need, and you make it worse.

[garyhope]

Is it true that no new refineries have been built in the US for more than 15 years now?

Talk to your local “envirionmentalist” or Democrat. The greens and Dims. They’re also why your electric bill is high.

Drill now, build some refineries and build some nuclear generating plants.

[AnAmericanMother]

What you said.

And you gave references, too!

[thackney]

Coastal refineries should be back up and running by now.

Most are back up. All of the Lake Charles, Port Arthur and Houston area refineries are still just getting started or still at reduced runs. Only two are operating at full and two are still shutdown with damage.

http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2008_SitRep_20_Ike_092908_12PM.pdf

[thackney]

Is it true that no new refineries have been built in the US for more than 15 years now?

More than 30 years. But we have been expanding and upgrading the existing ones in those decades.

http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntn12966.htm

[Mike Fieschko]

In our area of Florida, there was a shortage of mid-grade and premium.

You probably know this, but I'll post it for information.

Mid grade gasoline is a 50-50 blend of regular and high test, not a grade in its own, separate, underground tank at the station. If either ingredient is in short supply, then mid will be in short supply. A premium shortage == a mid grade shortage.

[NautiNurse]

That doesn’t explain the shortage.

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

There were at least three gas stations out of gas yesterday evening that I noticed. I was in N. Raleigh, Cary and Apex.

[Mike Fieschko]

There were at least three gas stations out of gas yesterday evening that I noticed. I was in N. Raleigh, Cary and Apex.

The WRAL article mentions that the terminals aren't getting their normal deliveries, and the terminals are rationing what they have:

Fuel is allocated to different distributors across North Carolina, so once one has tapped its entire allotment, it can't get more until a new shipment arrives, he said. Also, some oil companies said they aren't releasing their full allocation to Raleigh-area distributors because they want to be sure they have enough gas to last until their next shipment arrives through the pipeline.

Before Ike, for example, distributors might have filled 15 tankers at a time through the Selma terminal. Now, they likely are limited to 10 tankers.

That has led some retailers to scramble and turn to other terminals, including Wilmington, Charleston, S.C., and Virginia.

[Mike Fieschko]

That doesn’t explain the shortage.

Mid grade being a blend doesn't explain the shortage, correct, but the articles linked in comment #7 explain why there's a shortage this long after Ike.

[Buddygirl]

I spent most of last week in western NC and it was true that most of the gas stations were out. It made me nervous just to drive from Bryson City to Asheville area because I didn’t know if I could find gas to get back home to eastern NC later. But God provided me places to get gas. I praise Him! And it didn’t hurt to drive 55 and 60 mph on I-40. I had a lot more gas than I thought I would by driving those speeds.

[montag813]

The RNC better start running ads in these states blaming the Sierra Club and Democrats for this shortage, before the RATSs think of it themselves!

[econjack]

Kinda looks like it's buggy time in Vermont and New Hampshire!