Posted on 09/12/2008 3:20:43 PM PDT by Pokey78
Governor Bob Riley has declared a state of emergency in Alabama, saying he has gotten information from the federal Department of Energy that energy shortages are likely because of Hurricane Ike.
A state law that prohibits "unconscionable pricing" of items for sale or rent goes into effect when the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Riley's declaration this afternoon says that "disruption of essential utility services, systems and severe energy shortages will likely occur."
Earlier today, the governor's office issued a statement saying Riley had limited authority to declare an emergency. State law does not allow the governor to declare an emergency unless there has been or there is anticipated to be an attack on the United States, a natural disaster of major proportions affecting Alabama or a public health emergency.
But Riley said he received new information this afternoon from the Energy Department about the energy situation in relation to the hurricane.
"I believe this new information means a threat to public health is a strong possibility due to the shortage of fuels," said Governor Riley. "I deem it an emergency."
Ain’t no possibility here.Some stations are already out of gas.
I am from Bama and I have seen some gouging. It is a shame people try and make a profit off of disaster.
God protect anyone who stays in Galveston. The pic on drudge makes it look really bad.
Why hasn’t the Messiah appeared in the Gulf of Mexico to still the storm and calm the sea? Doesn’t he care?
The refusal to let the market set its own price during emergencies is the reason gas always sells out. Now we can all take solace in the fact those evil capitalists didn’t get to raise prices while we sit here with no gas.
I emailed Sessions and Shelby (Senators - Alabama) this morning over this situation.
Congress knew after Camille that we shouldn’t put “all our eggs in one basket” meaning putting most of the oil production down there.
DRILL ANWR NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Most stations in Jacksonville AL are out of gas, the ones that have gas are limiting your purchace to 8gl’s. I saw gas at $5.99gl on I65 in Cullman this afternoon. Its like 1974 as far as the lines go.
I am waiting for the first picture of the dems and libs having a good time or daring to enjoy themselves tonight as the storm comes ashore. During Gustav they insisted that the nation halt in its tracks and watch with bated breath. Shameful grandstanding!
Could someone please explain to me why the gulf shutting down is causing such drastic things to happen?
I know some of our gasoline comes from the off-shore drilling but I thought that surely there would be other sources to take up the slack during this time.
Does Alabama rely more heavily on gulf oil?
North Mississippi we had gas at $3.51 this morning. By Noon it was $3.71 and by 5pm its at $4.50/gallon. There is no way to justify the increase because none had shipments today. The gas on the next delivery may cost more but today’s increase is simple price gouging.People are panicking and there are lines at the pump. Many stations are out of gas, some just out of regular and they are working on the others. Damn shame. They should publish the names of the higher ups of the gasoline industry and let the mad consumers take care of them. One is a little more caring when their name is on the line.
Greens Thwart Gasoline Production
"... The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, successfully pressured the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block ConocoPhillips’ expansion of its Roxana, Ill., gasoline refinery, which processes heavy crude oil from Canada, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The project would have expanded the volume of Canadian crude processed from 60,000 barrels per day to more than 500,000 barrels a day by 2015. After the Illinois EPA had approved the expansion, the green groups petitioned the federal EPA to block it, alleging ConocoPhillips wasn’t using the best available technology for reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Apparently, the plant’s planned 95 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions and 25 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides wasn’t green enough..."
U.S. Refineries Operable Capacity
Topics for Petroleum Refining and Processing
From the Liberal Media:
Refinery Backlog Prompts Spike in Gas Prices (May 7, 2007: "Refineries can't keep pace with demand.")
U.S. refiners stretch to meet demand (Nov. 22, 2004: "Can existing plants continue to squeeze more output?")
Behind high gas prices: The refinery crunch (April 17 2007: "When gasoline prices surge, a lack of refining capacity is often blamed.")
It’s the refining capacity. IIRC, at least 20 percent of the US refining capacity is in the path of the storm.
Huge shortages of gas here in NC. $5 a gallon, if you can find it.
Its the refineries and distribution systems that are heavily concentrated down there that is the problem. Not the actual drilling in the gulf.
Yes, keep gas at $3.50, placing no pricing pressure on people to consume less. Then when there is no gas available you can smile as you look at the price sign saying $3.50 as you walk by because your car ran out and is parked.
Already started in Mobile, AL today. This morning on the way into work, I passed no less than three stations at $3.63/gallon. This afternoon, the cheapest I saw was one at $3.72 and two or three at $3.82 (all in West Mobile). The predominant pricing in midtown and downtown was $3.99 per gallon.
Interesting that the downtown prices rose faster than the suburban prices.
Daphne Al, (across bay from mobile) 3.64 this morning and 3.72 this afternoon. (Samsclub) Not crazy, but busy. I still have 20 gallons in the garage from the last storm I bought for 3.45.
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