No Gas in Charlotte

It is like the Jimmy Carter days all over again. Long Gas lines (3+ hours) - closed gas stations. Where is the National Coverage on this? Outside of the Southeast, this is not even on the newcast.

They blame our friends Gustav and Ike. They say most of the gas is piped up from the gulf into Charlotte. I don't buy it.


This is deplorable. Inexcusable! Where is the accountability of why there is no gas in Charlotte?

Here are some facts to mull over:

1) I heard during Hurricane Katrina that the gas supply was messed up then (I didn't live down here). While there weren't the lines at the pumps, there was a price spike. Shouldn't the state learned from this that there would be a problem?

2)Governor Mike Easley put some "Price Gouging" law into effect. That means you can't charge sky high prices for gas. With distributors charging higher rates, some gas stations have elected to remain shut down as opposed to make low profit margins. Yes, folks the media isn't reporting this - but this is a fact (just ask any station owner) If you ask me, I'd rather pay 6 dollars a gallon then wait on line or worry about getting gase. Supply and Demand will eventually fix that.

3) Gas Stations are sitting on the gas. Similar to #2 above. They want to stretch out their supply rather than take a high priced delivery. This is why you seen stations have gas and not have gas on and off....

4) There is a panic. People are filling up when they don't need to fill up. Unfortunately I'm not sure how to avoid this panic.

5) The idea that Emergency Vehicles cannot get gas is stupid! They should be allowed to cut the line.

6) At open gas stations, there is a police presence. It is needed. People are going nuts! The lines need to be controlled Fights are breaking out! Are we in a military state?

7) People are not going to work. In general, I find people look for any excuse to take off. This one is a doozy.

8) Is it so hard to get gas trucked from elsewhere? Again, I don't understand. Philadelphia and Baltimore have ample supplies. Can't some additional trucks be put on the roads.

9) Perhaps it is time to start considering Gas Rationing....i.e. odd and even number days you can go for gas. Scary, but the situation is grave.

Still don't believe how bad this is.....Read on!