More than 1,400 drivers have complained to the state about gas gouging in the past two weeks, and the state has subpoenaed sales records from 130 stations to determine if they illegally jacked up prices.
In the summer of 1979, a gallon of gas sold for between 80 cents and $1. If you could find it.
Then, as now, there were lines of idling cars at metro Atlanta gas stations, occasional flare-ups of temper, slightly breathless TV coverage.
The differences run deeper, though. The shortage of fall 2008 has so far been mostly confined to parts of the Southeast, especially metro Atlanta (as opposed to the national shortage of '79), and driven more by panicky car owners than by outside events.
Columbus Day this year might be more than a celebration of a European's discovery of the Americas. It could also be the day when the Augusta area's gasoline supplies return to normal.
Power was restored Friday to the last of the 16 undamaged oil refineries that were knocked out of commission by Hurricane Ike, which swept through the Gulf Coast two weeks ago. More...
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9/24/2008
The following information was sent late today by the Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia. Please know the information and conclusions are those of the Commisioner. My effort is to simply pass along what may be helpful information. Representative Charlice Byrd
Gasoline Update
Commissioner Tommy Irvin
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin, who regulates gas stations in Georgia, released the following information today to answer questions pertaining to the Gasoline shortage in metro Atlanta.
In early September back to back hurricanes hit Louisiana and Texas
The refineries in both areas were closed and evacuated at the time of impact. Extensive floods and power outages in the affected areas have caused 6 refineries to remain closed.This accounts for roughly 1.7 million barrels per day of production capacity.
The ports around Galveston and Houston were closed for a few days. Restrictions remain in place to include daylight transit only for vessels with drafts over 34 feet.
The oil drilling platforms were also evacuated during the hurricanes. Currently 76% of the Gulf's crude oil production remains shut-in.
Approximately 85% of the fuel in Georgia comes from Louisiana and Texas refineries through one of two pipe lines serving the terminals in Georgia.
With the refineries, platforms, and ports all being closed for a period of time, this shut down the production of crude oil and refined petroleum products which lead to a lack of "push barrels" which are required to push the product through the pipeline to Georgia.
Georgia is also in the midst of the fall harvest season for peanuts and cotton. There is always an increase in consumption of diesel fuel during this time.Southwest Georgia diesel supplies remain at a very low level.
All of the aforementioned problems, when combined with the issue that the metro Atlanta area is a non-attainment area under the Federal Clean-Air Act requiring gasoline sold in the Atlanta market to meet stringent EPA enforced air quality standards, make it more difficult for suppliers to receive fuel.
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