Fuel to remain scarce in western NC another week (Asheville)

Business Week ^ | 9-23-08

[lainie]

Officials in the Asheville area say they don't expect fuel to begin flowing normally again for at least another week and are urging drivers to conserve gasoline.

Buncombe County said Tuesday there is enough gas in the area to keep police cars and fire trucks fueled, and officials promised the shortage won't affect 911 service.

But all non-emergency county staff have been asked to work an alternate schedule or from home. And officials say area residents should consolidate their trips to conserve fuel and consider avoiding trips that aren't necessary.

Hurricane Ike closed oil refineries along the Gulf Coast. Analysts expect the gasoline shortages across the Southeast should disappear in the next week, once the refineries resume normal production levels.

[lainie]

More

Gas stations running on empty
Lines long, tempers short as motorists try to get fuel

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880922102

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Western NC gas stations still running empty

ASHEVILLE -- Fights broke out between motorists waiting in long lines for fuel at an Asheville station and managers called police for help.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that three fights occurred Monday at Roadrunner Shell. Station manager Marsha Messer directed lines of cars in her lot and said people are panicked about the shortage.

[padre35]

Thanks...I think.....

Asheville getting shorted..again...when the gas does reach here it will be 4.50 a gallon.

[wayoverontheright]

I got a call from a friend who was in Asheville today, touring the Biltmore with her family-husband, father, mother, and three kids. She knows I am from the area, said she was stranded, couldn't find gas anywhere to head back home to Lynchburg, Va.

I went on line, googled "Asheville gas shortages", and came up with a story in the local paper. There were posts following the story, latest posts first. The first post was someone who had found gas that day, and he (she) gave the name and location of the station. I called my friend back, told her where it was, and they headed out, on fumes. She found a station on the way to the one I told her about, and manged to be the last one to fill up. They are headed home.

The internet comes through again.

[theBuckwheat]

A missing component from this debacle is if government has forbidden the free market from operating by, for example, limiting the blend of gasoline or limiting financial incentives for outside suppliers to haul additional gasoline into this market.

[PleaseNoMore]

I’m in the Sandhills and we have gas stations that are out of regular and diesel.

[JohnnyZ]

Price controls = shortages

Film at 11

Lots of stations around Lexington-High Point are completely out as well.