[IanC]

I've been stunned by the scenes of panic and desperation by this relatively short and even predictable disruption in gasoline supply due to Superstorm Sandy. Stepping outside of the PO community bubble, inside of which we are all able to fit such events into our worldview of depletion,etc, the public at large are coming face-to-face with how tenuous our connection to modern society can be.

Are people going to learn from this? (probably not)

Will they put blame where blame is due? (surely not - we can only blame ourselves for overconsumption and lack of foresight)

Will our leaders learn from this and make changes while awareness is still high? (we'll see)

What lessons are you learning from watching the scenes of fuel shortages back East?

-IanC

[Pops]

Thanks Ian, I was thinking about this too.

The big deal to me is two fold, first it puts the lie to the idea that oil expenditure is only a small fraction of GDP so an increase in oil's price or availability is likewise small. Obviously not much happens without the fuel to power it.

But the bigger lesson is the often quoted notion that it isn't the big problems that are the limiters (gas is sitting in underground tanks everywhere) it's the little problems - in this case gas stations have no way to pump gas because the power is out and they have no backup power.

If there is a strategic resource in an emergency it is fuel but heaven forbid that a gas station be required to spend a few bucks on a backup system - even if it we're a few hand pumps.


But this is no surprise, attempts this year to pass regulations for improved cyber security for critical infrastructure were met be the same old stonewall of profit takers crying about their money. Short term mentality.

[Plantagenet]

I've heard reports that some of the closed gas stations in the area hit by Sandy did have backup electrical generators to power them up when the grid goes down---but the big generators they use to power up a whole gas station run on diesel----and the urban gas stations didn't have much diesel and quickly ran out.

[IanC]

I read that Gov. Christie instituted 1970's style rationing. Is that still in effect? How has it worked-out?

This event is exposing how easy it is to completely disrupt society's normal functioning by turning off the power. Surely we can expect more of this in the future. I wonder if the Feds will consider guidelines for fuel rationing in the future.

Once that's done, it could to expand to become a framework to accommodate a more widespread Depletion Protocol. Again, though: who is first in line and who makes sure they get there?

-Ian

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', 'I') read that Gov. Christie instituted 1970's style rationing. Is that still in effect? How has it worked-out?

[Beery1]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', 'W')hat lessons are you learning from watching the scenes of fuel shortages back East?

[vision-master]

I'll take my heated seats, sirius radio, cabin comfort any day over a bicycle?



A. You live close to work......

B. You have some kind of desk job with hot showers at work........

C. Your cheap. lsol

[Plantagenet]

Under socialism in the old USSR, when people saw a line at a store or a bakery, they immediately got in line because it meant the store had something to sell.

Something like that seems to be going on in NY/NJ----some of the lines at gas stations have grown to be over a mile in length, with 6 hour waits.

I don't think we've ever seen lines this bad for gas in the USA----not even back during the Arab oil boycott!


Gas line in Queens, NY

[vision-master]

No gas lines for me, I have enough on hand to make it here in 3 1/2 hrs. See ya suckers.....

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'I')'ll take my heated seats, sirius radio, cabin comfort any day over a bicycle?

[SamInNebraska]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', '
')Are people going to learn from this? (probably not)

[Oneaboveall]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', 'I') read that Gov. Christie instituted 1970's style rationing. Is that still in effect? How has it worked-out?

[IanC]

That picture of the huge lines posted by Plantagenet is the one that makes me weak in the knees. SO many people!

This whole incident has showed me 2 important things:

1. I am woefully unprepared for a disruption in fuel and electricity, even though I, too, bike, have candles, food, etc. The point is that Sandy has shown me how many unforeseen logistical problems can arise in a disaster, like not having the ability to pump gas out of full, otherwise functioning storage tanks.

2. Our supply lines are very fragile and it does not take long for people to go Ape Nutz and get really aggressive when they are hungry, cold, and panicking.

-Ian

[IanC]

Hang in there Oneaboveall. Looks like you and yours are taking care of each other - lesson #1 in my PO prep book.

-Ian

[Keith_McClary]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'I')f there is a strategic resource in an emergency it is fuel but heaven forbid that a gas station be required to spend a few bucks on a backup system - even if it we're a few hand pumps.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'I')'ll take my heated seats, sirius radio, cabin comfort any day over a bicycle?



A. You live close to work......

B. You have some kind of desk job with hot showers at work........

C. Your cheap. lsol

[vision-master]

Can't wait to install a CAI.........

Should be pushing close to 300 hp. Not bad for a mid-size sedan. lsol

6 speed auto, can ya dig it, + 30 mpg hiway....

Love the paddle shifting to get by the likes of SG.



Oh, I forgot, gotta get movie-in-motion hack so I can watch DVD's while driving.

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'O')h, I forgot, gotta get movie-in-motion hack so I can watch DVD's while driving.

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', '1'). I am woefully unprepared for a disruption in fuel and electricity, even though I, too, bike, have candles, food, etc. The point is that Sandy has shown me how many unforeseen logistical problems can arise in a disaster, like not having the ability to pump gas out of full, otherwise functioning storage tanks.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR11', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'O')h, I forgot, gotta get movie-in-motion hack so I can watch DVD's while driving.