Gasoline Rationing Comes To New York

The moves, designed to reduce wait times and lines at gas stations in the area, come more than a week after Superstorm Sandy damaged petroleum infrastructure in the region and made it difficult for people to get fuel for their vehicles, especially because many gas stations were without power for days.

Under the temporary system, people with odd-numbered license plates can buy fuel only on odd-numbered days, and people with even-numbered vehicles can buy fuel only on even-numbered days, according to officials in New York City, Suffolk County and Nassau County.

Vehicles with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can buy fuel on odd-numbered days. Commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses and paratransit vehicles, medical doctor plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission are exempt, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office said.

“Last week’s storm hit the fuel network hard – and knocked out critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline,” Bloomberg said in a news release. “Even as the region’s petroleum infrastructure slowly returns to normal, the gasoline supply remains a real problem for thousands of New York drivers. Earlier today, I signed an emergency order to alternate the days that drivers can purchase gas, which is the best way to cut down the lines and help customers buy gas faster.”

New Jersey instituted a similar system last weekend.

New York’s new system – starting at 6 a.m. Friday in New York City, and 5 a.m. on Long Island – comes as the Northeast is dealing with a nor’easter that is dumping snow and downing more power lines a week after Sandy.

CNN

10 Comments on "Gasoline Rationing Comes To New York"

DC on Thu, 8th Nov 2012 10:09 pm 



Now, all the US needs is for rationing to go nationwide, and become a permanent fixture!

Give it time…..

TIKIMAN on Thu, 8th Nov 2012 10:26 pm 



Bloomberg is such a stupid asshole. Good thing he banned big pops cause people in NY would all be dead if he didn’t. I can’t believe he has the authority to pull this shit.

BillT on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 1:26 am 



Tiki, you need to update your education on US government. You have allowed your President to acquire dictatorial powers over you. You might also be surprised at the powers your mayor and governor have. You have none. Welcome to the new USofA.

MrEnergyCzar on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 1:50 am 



Good practice for a no growth world…

MrEnergyCzar

DMyers on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 3:52 am 



“…and help customers buy gas faster”…buy gas faster…buy gas faster…buy gas faster…buy gas faster…..Ahh, if only I can buy it faster. The faster the better.

But, wow!, Bloomberg signed an emergency order [i.e., a dictatorial mandate]. That must mean we’ll be able to buy gas faster. That’s what we need and need real bad, to buy it faster. We drive fast, we are fast, and we don’t fast. We eat. We eat big and fast – double, triple, quadruple burgers, with giant orders of fries.

Don’t cut it back. That’s all we ask. It’s all about growth. Don’t shrink it, grow it. Then, we’ll all be okay.

I’m so glad I have an even numbered plate. To me, it seems like we evens are going to get just a little more than the odds.

IanC on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 5:34 am 



We’ll all be doing this soon.

GregT on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 7:06 am 



It’s the Economy, stupid.

Kenz300 on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 7:27 pm 



Maybe we are too reliant on gasoline.

Maybe we should diversify our fuel types and end the oil monopoly on transportation fuels. Electric, flex-fuel, CNG and LGN all need to be part of the energy mix.

Many people are standing in line to fill 5 gallon gas cans for their emergency generators. Maybe we should be looking at some solar power for emergency backup for homes. Solar does not need to provide 100% of a homes power. If it could provide enough power for a few lights, the refrigerator and to charge a cell phone that would be a blessing to many people.

They now make replacement windows and roofing shingles that have solar cells embedded in them. It might make sense to provide a little emergency power for a home or business and not have to rely on gasoline deliveries.

Sharpie on Sat, 10th Nov 2012 1:21 pm 



Keep telling yourself that, Kenz300. Solar cells, etc. are heavily dependent on nonrenewable resources, but I’m sure you already knew that.

BillT on Sat, 10th Nov 2012 1:36 pm 



Sharpie, some have a difficult time accepting the path the world is on. Be patient. ^_^