I was sitting in Taco Bell, enjoying the last of the Cheesy Gordita Crunches when I overheard the people behind the counter talking about a “line”. I eventually asked them what was going on and they told me the shocking news that at 4:00 PM, all gas pumps in Columbus would be shut off until Saturday, and they were gawking at the line of two gas stations across the street.
Having only a quarter of a tank, I sped off to get gas and sat in line for half an hour. When I got in line the price was $2.71 a gallon, and by the time I pumped gas it was at $2.87 (for regular).
Apparently the hurricane cut off the only gasoline pipeline to Georgia. As a result, the gas thats coming is all thats gonna be here for about 10 days to two weeks. The Taco Bell people said saturday, but somehow I doubt that. So right now, there’s no gas. I also fear that people that live near the state lines are going to flood into neighboring states to get gas, which will in turn deplete the gas supply for some nearby states as well, assuming that they get some of their gas from the same pipeline. If anybody knows anything about these pipelines, chime in. I’m curious if theres a pipeline per state or per region.
So yes, be prepared for gas shortages in the south east, I expect, and probably a good couple other areas around the country as well.
CNN is reporting that gas may go up to as much as $4 a gallon in certain areas of the country by the winter, and stay in the 3-4 range for two to six months after.
Commuting about 100 miles a day, this isn’t easy on my car or my wallet.
The prices jumped about 40-50 cents between yesterday and today, but thankfully I filled up this morning at a station that hadn’t gone through the roof yet.
I used to know more about the pipelines, but you know, when someone asks about something and I might know otherwise, I forget it all!
I also heard that this was going to substantially affect the prices for natural gas in homes - did anyone else hear this, or was someone who was talking to me imagining things?
I love the fact I moved to a place where it takes me only 20 minutes by public transit to get to university. =)
Sucks for the gas prices guys. =( I would optimistically say this would shake the oil companies grip on nearly everything, but I am pretty sure I’d be wrong.
This should breathe new life into my idea that we should form a nationwide network of groups who will stand outside car dealerships and mercilessly slap anyone who even looks towards an SUV. Or pickup truck.
See, this is why I want to buy a home that doesn’t rely on natural gas - I’ve been against it before because of the cost, but the situation merely exaggerates my point.
The Think has been a failure anyway…