Is the "gas shortage" in GA really that bad? (Atlanta: trip , work)

[caution]

I have CNN on at work most days and wonder if the gas shortages caused by recent storms, according to news reports, are as bad as CNN is making it look right now.

They've dug up footage of 1970s gas lines and are doing live shots from ATL.

Is this another example of panic journalism?

What about the rest of GA?

Just curious.

I would guess that the hardest hit gas stations are attracting attention, and the fact that CNN's HQ is right down the street often makes national news out of Atlanta regional news.

[BobKovacs]

Well, it's definitely not like the 1970s, but I'd say that at any one time, maybe 1 in 10 stations have gas, and the lines can result in a 15 minute to 1 hour+ wait depending on the time of day and location. So, of course they're dramatizing it, but it's a real issue.

[LovinDecatur]

Yesterday was the pits...Bob's ratio is about right and one station I passed had about 100 cars in line. Seems just as bad as the 70's IMO.

[caution]

Dang. Sorry to hear that. I'll call my folks down in middle GA and see how they're doing.

Thanks for the man on the street view.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by caution

Dang. Sorry to hear that. I'll call my folks down in middle GA and see how they're doing.

Thanks for the man on the street view.

They're probably doing fine in Middle GA- supposedly once you get around 50 miles out of town, things improve. Something about "summer gas" requirements, which the refineries are only producing so much of, whereas everywhere else doesn't need that particular blend.

[atlantagreg30127]

Actually, Governor Perdue eased the summer mix (before he left on his trip to Europe ), so supposedly, the gas coming in is both Summer AND Winter grades - it's just not enough of the stuff is coming in regardless of grade to handle everyone filling up.

One station in Paulding was actually selling race car grade fuel - at $8.00 a gallon. While it will run in most cars, it's generally not a good idea according to my mechanic to run it in the typical family auto, by the way (it also burns quicker and of course, costs $$ more).

I called a friend in Columbus, Ga. - they're fine on stock now. No shortages. Chattanooga is supposedly STARTING to experience some issues along the state line, because people who live in the North and NW Atlanta burbs are driving all the way up there to fill up and take cans to fill up, too. My family in West Virginia say that there's no issues there as well, though my sister in the Pigeon Forge area of Tennessee says that closer to Knoxville, there are a few spotty issues.

[saharaga]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Something about "summer gas" requirements, which the refineries are only producing so much of, whereas everywhere else doesn't need that particular blend.

You know, I've heard this too and I don't understand it. Doesn't summer come every year? If the "summer gas requirements" are to blame, why don't we have this problem every year? I've also heard the problems are being caused by the refineries stopping/delaying production to make repairs caused by the hurricanes.

It's not bad at all here in Columbus compared to Atlanta. We drove up to Atlanta this weekend and I was thankful we did not need to get gas. There are a few gas stations here that are out of gas but for the most part, we're good. No long lines or fights, thank God.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by saharaga

You know, I've heard this too and I don't understand it. Doesn't summer come every year? If the "summer gas requirements" are to blame, why don't we have this problem every year? I've also heard the problems are being caused by the refineries stopping/delaying production to make repairs caused by the hurricanes.

It's not bad at all here in Columbus compared to Atlanta. We drove up to Atlanta this weekend and I was thankful we did not need to get gas. There are a few gas stations here that are out of gas but for the most part, we're good. No long lines or fights, thank God.

I thought it was reported yesterday that the refineries are ready or are pumping at 80% capacity.

Many in metro Atlanta have large/powerful vehicles and commute from suburbs as much as 40 miles away from work. I am not surprised that there is a problem and very concerned that this may happen again.

[crux]

I wonder how Perdue enjoyed his trip to Europe while us peons grinded around burning fuel to get fuel.

[saharaga]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

Many in metro Atlanta have large/powerful vehicles and commute from suburbs as much as 40 miles away from work. I am not surprised that there is a problem and very concerned that this may happen again.

Yes, I agree. We watched the Atlanta news while we were up there and I found myself screaming at the TV...."take MARTA!" "take GRTA!" It's Atlanta for pete's sake. They have options. People just cannot fathom not driving. Despite all the things wrong with MARTA, it beats sitting in a gas line for hours. There were even reports of people camping out at gas stations waiting for the gas truck to come and some parents who were STILL driving their kids to school and picking them up.