Apr 21, 2006 4:02 pm US/Eastern
Some Area Gas Stations Seeing Shortages
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Drivers could soon see a spike in prices at the pump as AAA officials said there may be temporary gas shortages throughout the area.
Officials said that there are several factors that will increase the price of gas, but the main problem lies in a switchover in fuel additives.
"This is not a matter of inadequate supplies of gas; it is a matter of companies getting the ethanol, blending it with the gas and getting it to gas stations," said Catherine Rossi, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
An energy bill passed last year requires refineries to take out a gasoline additive, MTBE, which has been linked to water pollution, and add in the corn-based ethanol additive.
AAA said that gas stations are forced to completely clean out their tanks before they can receive shipments of the ethanol-blended gasoline. For many stations, the process of scrubbing out all mineral deposits could take as long as two days.
Also the fuel cannot be shipped along traditional pipelines and must be transported in barges, trains, and trucks.
Along with the slowdown in the supply chain, drivers saw a major jump in the cost of gas as prices of oil reached a record high of $72-a-barrel. Officials said the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is still having some residual effect on refineries, while the war in Iraq and recent news from Iran is causing prices to spike.
Rossi cautions that drivers should try to curb any anxiety about a gas shortage by conserving and taking precautions.
"We caution drivers against hoarding or panic buying. If one gas station is out, the next one will have fuel," she said.
AAA suggests drivers be sure to obey the speed limit and make sure their car is well-maintained to conserve fuel losses. Avoid unnecessary trips and be sure your tires are fully inflated. Take public transit or car pool whenever possible.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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