Fill 'er up, before it's gone; Some stations out of gas, and situation may worsen

The Arizona Republic ^ | Max Jarman

[hsmomx3]

Gas shortages are hitting some Valley stations, and it could worsen by the weekend.

Many independent stations run by Costco, Safeway and Albertsons were out of gas Thursday, even as the average price of regular unleaded in the Phoenix area hit another record at $1.77 per gallon.

[shadeaud]

One report from some city in Calif. showed the price at the pump over $3 a gallon. Has the price increased as rapidly in Europe as it has here?

[Izzy Dunne]

Supply and demand - it's not just a good idea - IT'S THE LAW!

[Zevonismymuse]

...the average price of regular unleaded in the Phoenix area hit another record at $1.77 per gallon.

We are paying over $2.00 a gallon at most stations here in Santa Barbara County. Of course, my husband makes me buy the high octane stuff so we are talking about $2.17 a gallon.

Then we have all these hairy legged women and bald-headed guys with ponytails carrying "No Blood For Oil" signs up and down State Street. These are the same fols who won't stand for any drilling anywhere except in Banana Republics where the little brown people live.

[finnman69]

All the more reasons for the federal government to decide on one standard for all the states regarding additives to the fuel. No wonder there are shortages when each state needs its own custom formula.

[Abcdefg]

Boutique gasoline mandated by the EPA is the problem.
Texas has 5 versions.

[anymouse]

More economic terrorism by the eco-fascists.

[Johnny Gage]

two of the refineries that produce Phoenix's unique oxygenated winter fuel have been shut down

There ya go. More LUNATIC bullshirt caused by enviro-nazis.

We've got similiar "oxygenated" and ethanol "enhanced" gasoline here in Minnesota but don't have any shortages.

[tomkat]

five gasoline versions or no, i really miss the texas i spent the first six months of last year in ...

[SamAdams76]

What a dumb headline. The average person goes through a tank of gas every week. Rushing to the pumps now is going to make little difference.

[timestax]

What a dumb headline. The average person goes through a tank of gas every week. Rushing to the pumps now is going to make little difference. 10 posted on 03/07/2003 8:58 AM PST by SamAdams76 (California wine tastes better - boycott

DITTO! And anyway, I'm sure there is plenty of gasoline!

[onedoug]

Additives though, are also brand specific, such as detergents, "octane boosters", etc.

I was talking to a tanker truck operator while filling up in Studio City (at $2.07 for 87 reg) this morning. He had filled up in Vernon, and was nearing the end of his morning run. We talked about refining, transport of refined product, pipeline distribution, additives..."Supply chain management!"

Good talk. Good guy, who seemed to really get a kick that a motorist would actually be so interested in what he was doing.

So to all you energy industry types out there: Thanks for keeping us fueled!

[Mike Darancette]

Fill 'er up, before it's gone;

This is just the attitude that would cause shortages (driving fuel prices ever higher). What is happening is that people are filling up more often (thus carrying more fuel in their tanks) because they are trying to beat the next price increase.

It only stands to reason that millions of cars each having tanks on average 3/4 full instead of 1/4 to 1/2 full removes a lot of fuel from the market. This artificial increase in demand is what is driving prices higher over and above what would be expected from the increase in crude oil prices.

[LurkedLongEnough]

I doubt this would have made the paper unless the paper was trying to forge a connection between the shortages and the looming war "for oil".

[Sloth]

It only stands to reason that millions of cars each having tanks on average 3/4 full instead of 1/4 to 1/2 full removes a lot of fuel from the market.

And also lowers gas mileage, driving up demand, ironically.

[discostu]

OOOOH I know, we can just get rid of that crappy oxyginated fuel. It doesn't get as good a milage and it smells funny. My car can't wait for the end of the month.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Bingo.

[Cobra64]

Yup. Just as in 1974. Also, people get REALLY upset when it costs them 50 cents more a tank of gas, but don't seem to shive a git when their income taxes go up $5,000! John Q Public has priorities upside down.