Ike highlights gasoline supply problem

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Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:37:29 AM

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GasBuddy News Article

Ike highlights gasoline supply problem Monday, October 06, 2008
Greenville Online -- If you want a rational argument for easing rules governing the construction of oil refineries in the United States, look no further than the plastic sacks that have covered the pumps at your corner gas station since Hurricane Ike hit Texas last month. As bad as the situation has been in the Greenville area, it's been worse in other parts of the Southeast. In Atlanta, the Journal-Constitution reported hundreds of service stations in that city were closed as recently as last Monday. Even though gas is flowing more freely stations still struggle to keep up with demand as gas-thirsty residents fill their tanks at the first sight of an uncovered nozzle. Some of the results, according to media reports, include long lines and fistfights over gasoline.
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 10/6/2008 10:56:29 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Monday, October 06, 2008 Greenville Online -- If you want a rational argument for easing rules governing the construction of oil refineries in the United States, look no further than the plastic sacks that have covered the pumps at your corner gas station since Hurricane Ike hit Texas last month. As bad as the situation has been in the Greenville area, it's been worse in other parts of the Southeast. In Atlanta, the Journal-Constitution reported hundreds of service stations in that city were closed as recently as last Monday. Even though gas is flowing more freely stations still struggle to keep up with demand as gas-thirsty residents fill their tanks at the first sight of an uncovered nozzle. Some of the results, according to media reports, include long lines and fistfights over gasoline. Visit Greenville Online for full article

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TKDBlackBelt Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,326 Points:368,655 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:46:14 AM	Ignore TKDBlackBelt Report Abuse
	w4kh, you're right about refineries running at less than capacity not making as much money for the owner, but distribution from one area to another is prevented by all of the regional "custom blends" mandated by state and local governments. It's just plain STUPID to have a dozen DIFFERENT blends of gas for different places trying to accomplish the same thing. It would be nice if they would just use their brains (even a little bit) and agree on a couple of blends, then we COULD ship the stuff all over the place. Unfortunately, the politiians have huge egos, and they can't get together for ANYTHING that makes good sense!
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:7,024 Points:626,880 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:26:58 AM	Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse
	=>drill baby drill<= Real funny. And from a Canadian no less. Well it's nice to know that ignorance doesn't have to stop at customs. And even if that myth had any legs to stand on (it doesn't), it has nothing to do with DISTRIBUTION, which is the issue here. I appreciate that the remark could have been facetious, but that kind of clever in this medium will soar over most heads.
Gerund1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,147 Points:828,105 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:02:09 AM	Ignore Gerund1 Report Abuse
	My personal opinion, for whatever that is worth, is that the wholesalers/refiners are "playing" the market and trying to keep the price up.
TBRR Veteran Author Jacksonville Posts:307 Points:82,325 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 11:00:03 AM	Ignore TBRR Report Abuse
	something is a little fishy here. with all the railroads and interstate highways, seems the wholesalers just can't think out side the box and have a backup plan of where to go for gas when their supply source has run dry. or if they do have a plan, the stations are refusing to pay the extra transportation costs. of course the media will only report the worst side of everything. being 7 hours away from Atlanta driving time, we have plenty and the low is now down to $3.35 the high is $.46 higher. looks like a gas war has begun in one section of town. [Edited by: TBRR at 10/7/2008 11:00:37 AM EST]
REKEY All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:534 Points:123,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:49:19 AM	Ignore REKEY Report Abuse
	Yes, but what are the oil companies going to do about it! One station here had gas at 3.01.
21597 All-Star Author Colorado Posts:636 Points:208,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:47:57 AM	Ignore 21597 Report Abuse
	Why they are centralized is they only drilling off the coast in some areas. When they drill off the coast in other areas and refineries open then that should help.
BMWer Sophomore Author Calgary Posts:229 Points:434,450 Joined:Dec 2003	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:47:43 AM	Ignore BMWer Report Abuse
	drill, baby, drill
krucker All-Star Author Austin Posts:559 Points:421,030 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:46:56 AM	Ignore krucker Report Abuse
	I Fear this situation is only gonna get worse!!!
skippypa Veteran Author Hawaii Posts:279 Points:117,235 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:46:32 AM	Ignore skippypa Report Abuse
	Something smells here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hblee Veteran Author Ontario Posts:365 Points:245,165 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:44:58 AM	Ignore hblee Report Abuse
	The oil companies are the ones that must find a long term solution that will ensure all parts of the country can be properly supplied.
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,377 Points:227,905 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:43:19 AM	Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse
	Still have to have gas to operate.
NissanGirl Veteran Author Oregon Posts:302 Points:166,740 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:41:22 AM	Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
	Hmmm....
crbTX Sophomore Author Houston Posts:171 Points:40,175 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:41:14 AM	Ignore crbTX Report Abuse
	Drill Away
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,581 Points:994,335 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:36:48 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	then build them in safer places...duh"
noelblak Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:170 Points:159,355 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:33:38 AM	Ignore noelblak Report Abuse
	Drill Drill
Dakota4x4 Sophomore Author Oklahoma City Posts:153 Points:688,380 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:33:36 AM	Ignore Dakota4x4 Report Abuse
	this whole mess proves that centralization is the worst thing for safety and security... what's that old saying, don't put all your eggs in one basket? we need to start to decentralize our infrastructure... oh wait... our economy is in shambles and the market is tanking, so there is no capital to be lent out to rebuild the decentralized infrastructure we had until WW2! we are so screwed, but no one knows how bad it really is... folks are slowly waking up... but it's too late to really do anything about it at this point, isn't it? oh, for all of you idiots that are chanting "drill baby drill"... you are so dillusional... it takes a minimum of 3 years on land, and 5-10 years at sea before oil flows from newly drilled wells... it won't help us now, all it will do is slow down the inevitable decline 3-10 years from now... by then we will be in a deep recession, if not the worst depression this country has ever seen... do you know where your next meal will come from when this happens? [Edited by: Dakota4x4 at 10/7/2008 10:36:45 AM EST]
twt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:6,245 Points:451,440 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:31:33 AM	Ignore twt Report Abuse
	Only in America. Our "Government" won't let us drill, but every other country in the world, can drill just off of our coast.
24541 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:732 Points:934,045 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:29:43 AM	Ignore 24541 Report Abuse
	Better reason to drill here. Drill now.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,897 Points:563,515 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:29:31 AM	Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse
	Nothing that alternate energy vehicles wouldn't cure! You don't need refineries for Natural gas or electric supply. You don't need refineries for power and heat with solar, geothermal, wind and water!
acknot All-Star Author Seattle Posts:867 Points:641,600 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:26:26 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	Good reason not to let your tank go below half full (or half empty).
EZExit Veteran Author Phoenix Posts:309 Points:83,100 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:23:31 AM	Ignore EZExit Report Abuse
	We have increased our demand from the years past, but not the number of refineries. I'd be curious to know when the last refinery was built in the US
LaCajunDJ Veteran Author Louisiana Posts:384 Points:89,180 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:22:58 AM	Ignore LaCajunDJ Report Abuse
	Old news!! (over a month now)
Billbop Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,095 Points:981,220 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:20:51 AM	Ignore Billbop Report Abuse
	If you look back at the history they (the oil companies) tell people environmental reasons are why they didn't build refineries. The truth is (and there are numerous oil company memos), they reduced capacity to increase profits, and it worked. In 2005-2006 "W" offered them retired military bases and reduced environmental rules if they built there, the result was NOTHING. They didn't build. The same old record, playing the same old song, is not going to change anything. An interesting story from a conservative who sees who's to blame. ""Giant speculative investment funds and oil companies now make tremendous profits raiding the oil spot-market, playing seemingly separate but implicitly cooperative roles serving up the same end-effect as Enron wreaked on California.""Why the cost of gas is really so high
Zygnatz Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,981 Points:978,105 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:19:18 AM	Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse
	How much fuel was wasted by people driving around looking for fuel? I think the hint of a shortage drives up demand.
ladyjj Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,455 Points:161,295 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:19:12 AM	Ignore ladyjj Report Abuse
	I am sure not going to fight over any fuel I may or may not need. That is just plain crazy. Fuel is no reason to go to jail over and Me I am not going to jail for anything or any reason. Anyway diesel is and has been easy to find. Still high but hey what can you do about price but pay it.
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,660 Points:640,945 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:14:56 AM	Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
	Having a reinery that operates at less than capacity is a money loser for the refining company, so more refineries isn't really the answer... a distribution system that can supply "other" areas that have shortages from capacity that is not-impacted by a disaster would be helpful... The REAL SOLUTION: KICK THE OIL ADDICTION!!! FIND ALTERNATIVES!!! BE WILLING TO CHANGE!!!
herbie1NC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:622 Points:130,735 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:14:43 AM	Ignore herbie1NC Report Abuse
	Im sick of hearing about Ike
Mazdaman7Q Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,731 Points:789,310 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:14:16 AM	Ignore Mazdaman7Q Report Abuse
	Or highlights the Big Oil greed problem...
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:6,266 Points:1,682,620 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:12:57 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	how about some new efficient high teck refineries
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:2,031 Points:309,880 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:10:40 AM	Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse
	This is old news. I would hope the supply problems are ending.
ljmatney All-Star Author Wichita Posts:598 Points:111,455 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:09:28 AM	Ignore ljmatney Report Abuse
	Take the news with a grain of salt
hangupanddrive All-Star Author Michigan Posts:705 Points:915,960 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:06:55 AM	Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse
	As everything today, the news drags everything out eternally.
bug27 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,964 Points:1,173,425 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:06:28 AM	Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
	EXTREME environmentalists have weakened our democracy and reduced our freedoms.
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,603 Points:1,122,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:06:01 AM	Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
	The gas supply problem was manipulation of the market
Arktander All-Star Author Illinois Posts:602 Points:354,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:05:32 AM	Ignore Arktander Report Abuse
	We were told Ike didn't affect the oil platforms like they thought, so why are there such problems?
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,156 Points:456,855 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:04:24 AM	Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
	Wasn't it over a month ago, when Ike came for a visit.?????????
tbybee Veteran Author Omaha Posts:297 Points:108,600 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:03:41 AM	Ignore tbybee Report Abuse
	Don't know why we can't build more refineries. Probably due to the environmental lobby.
onlinestuffmb Rookie Author Maryland Posts:1 Points:95,195 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:03:10 AM	Ignore onlinestuffmb Report Abuse
	It makes you wonder, no?
HEBster All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:821 Points:770,880 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:01:28 AM	Ignore HEBster Report Abuse
	Will this ever end????
smokin2win07 Sophomore Author Tennessee Posts:220 Points:368,575 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 10:01:00 AM	Ignore smokin2win07 Report Abuse
	I agree with Andryew as well, but I was born and raised in Bmore and currently reside in TN and know that if you don't have someone in office willing to do anything, regardless of the issue, and have good backing$$, you might as well chalk it up. Without Power and Money, we working class will always struggle to get anywhere.
amacquarrie Veteran Author Nevada Posts:333 Points:77,235 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:59:48 AM	Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
	hmmmmm
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:8,086 Points:1,730,660 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:59:36 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	When will it end!
gfpinson Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:315 Points:430,375 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:59:34 AM	Ignore gfpinson Report Abuse
	This is old news , I don't care when the story was published.
barsantij Veteran Author Greensboro Posts:389 Points:105,865 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:57:43 AM	Ignore barsantij Report Abuse
	no1doc - I like your midwestern common sense approach - oh, I was born in Chicago and lived most of my life in Milwaukee ...
no1doc All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:906 Points:165,950 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:55:51 AM	Ignore no1doc Report Abuse
	Maybe we shouldn't build refineries in the hurricane belt.
GasaHawg Veteran Author Texas Posts:477 Points:95,555 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:55:36 AM	Ignore GasaHawg Report Abuse
	At one time there were more refineries, some of them were torn down because they were losing money. There is gas it just seems to be a problem transporting it.
lostorosbravos Veteran Author Oklahoma Posts:296 Points:68,325 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:55:14 AM	Ignore lostorosbravos Report Abuse
	People are panicking!
sexymacho Rookie Author Florida Posts:78 Points:90,035 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:54:54 AM	Ignore sexymacho Report Abuse
	A no-brainer.
whitemiata Champion Author Albany Posts:5,482 Points:1,181,235 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:52:06 AM	Ignore whitemiata Report Abuse
	how is it all controlled by greed? our free enterprise system allows people to work hard, and try to earn more by coming up with new ideas and products to sell. Is that greed? yes, it is motivated self-interest, but in cooperation with others who are doing the same. is it greed when you choose carefully which gas stations or food stores you buy from to find the lowest price? is it greed when you turn down the heat at home to save money? who determines what is 'greed' and what is 'motivated self-interest'? greed is the word for anyone making more than you? without that motivated self-interest and the freedom we have in our economic system, none of us would enjoy the standard of living that we have here in the US.
steveski Veteran Author Maryland Posts:480 Points:124,845 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/7/2008 9:52:00 AM	Ignore steveski Report Abuse
	i'm so sick of hearing about ike