by BabyPeanut » Wed 31 Aug 2005, 09:21:42
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')url=http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/APN/508310535&cachetime=5]Buncombe County residents asked to conserve fuel (link)[/url]
AP State News 31 Aug 2005 1:42AM
Residents of one western North Carolina county were asked to conserve fuel and government agencies were told to limit nonessential travel because of the possible effect of Hurricane Katrina on fuel and natural gas supplies.
Jerry VeHaun, Buncombe County emergency services director, said in a statement Tuesday that fuel and natural gas pipelines in Mississippi and Louisiana that provide fuel to suppliers in western North Carolina have lost power.
Officials estimate that power may be restored in 24 to 48 hours, although crews continue to evaluate pipelines, VeHaun said.
"Don't make any unnecessary trips until this is over," VeHaun advised residents "It's not going to be a long-term thing, I don't think."
Under further updates are available - which should occur Wednesday - the city and county will limit nonessential travel that doesn't impact public safety and health services, VeHaun said.
"If it's a critical service, for example the emergency service - fire, law enforcement, EMS - it won't affect that service," VeHaun said. "But other departments that have vehicles, they'll only be making what's absolutely necessary."
If the shortage continues, VeHaun said, officials may halt social services inspections, building inspections and other services.
Madison County may also take measures to conserve fuel, said Stewart Coats, director of emergency management.
Asheville's buses were expected to run on schedule Wednesday, city spokeswoman Lauren Bradley said, and city officials will try to maintain bus service when they re-evaluate conservation efforts Wednesday.
VeHaun also urged citizens not to react to the power outage until additional information is available.
Effects of the threat of a fuel shortage were felt across North Carolina. For example, along West Wendover Avenue in Greensboro, some places already were charging $3 for regular unleaded gas Tuesday night.
Wholesale gas prices from the Gulf of Mexico, where the Charlotte region gets most of its gas, reached $3 a gallon Tuesday.
"If I pay $3 for it, I'll have to charge $3 for it," said Jim Crump, who runs nine convenience stores in Hickory, Lenoir and Morganton.
Even though Wilmington may be affected less than the rest of the state - its gasoline supply arrives by tanker or barge - prices still jumped Tuesday and a wholesaler warned of possible temporary shortages.
Bill Hobbs of Wilmington sells to convenience stores and some major retailers. He said individual stations may run out of gas at times but that drivers probably will be able to fill up if they check back.
Lewis Efird, president of Gastonia-based United Oil of the Carolinas, said motorists should expect to see gas, especially regular, run out for a day or so at some stations late this week.
Tiara Kitt skipped an early-morning fill-up Tuesday morning when the price at a nearby convenience store was $2.49 per gallon. Three hours later, at 8 a.m., the price was $2.65 a gallon at the same store, she said.
"I don't have a choice," Kitt said as she filled up the tank of her Ford Windstar.
Sales at Greenville gas stations were slower Tuesday afternoon than they were Monday night, when vehicles lined up, sometimes more than 20 at a time at area stations, to fill up.
The average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline, which was around $2.57 Monday, was anywhere from $2.57 to $2.83 by Tuesday afternoon.
At the Trade Mart on 10th Street, East Carolina University student Safa Sheppherd was filling up her car after the station's regular unleaded supplies were replenished about 2 p.m. The station, however, was still out of plus gasoline.
Sheppherd said though she was not concerned about an increase, she was with about seven of her Kappa Delta sorority sisters Monday evening waiting in lines during the rush.
"I don't believe in all the hype," Sheppherd said. "I am against the rush."