Gas prices holy heck

[Cumberland]

Gas went from 2.57 to 2.99 here today! And there are lines of 20 cars at the gas stations. It makes me really nervous. Is there a prediction of a gas shortage that I dont know about? We have virtually no public transportation here at all and I would be up *&^%&^$ creek if we couldnt drive.

[Vanquisher]

Ours jumped too, and I had to get gas today. 2.99, and it about killed me. I didn't even fill up the tank all the way, because I couldn't bear to do it.

We were at 2.47 3 days ago.

Sigh.

I heard it might be going up so I filled up today at 2.66.

[Sheherezade]

3.09 here, up from 2.79 this afternoon. I heard on CNN that there is some issue with the pipelines (lower capacity) but that a shortage isn't likely. Just fear of a shortage. I'm glad I live in a walking town. Finally, my prediliction for "New Urbanism" pays off!!

[SuzySunshine]

We're also up to $2.99 from $2.46 on Monday. I looked at the bus schedule while I was at work today to see if it would work, it would take me an hour and fifteen minutes to get to work when it takes me 10 minutes to drive. Prices are going to have to get pretty steep before I'll consider that.

[Cumberland]

So I just went to fill up and waited 25 minutes while cursing those jerks who chose to fill up then leave their car at the pump while they meandered in to pay with 10 people waiting behind them!!. The attendant said they only have 400 gallons worth left- about 2 hours worth- and arent getting any more til Saturday! It was a little disconcerting- i have never had to wait in a line for gas ever ( except in NJ where you cant pump your own) and never have seen stations run out of gas. I live close to work, about 4miles, which is close for here, but DD's daycare is 9 miles away. I am not sure what I would do if I had no gas to drive. I wish I werent so dependent- we only had one car for the first five years we were married, but once we moved here we had no choice.

[DCJenn]

Well, now here in the big city, even low grade is over 3 bucks a gallon. Of course we have a very nice public transportation system- that is going to bankrupt themselves even more than usual- because what do they run on? Gas.

So, my husband rode his bike into work today and will be riding in unless it's sleeting, snowing or the next hurricane. I walk or take Metro most places anyway so it's not impacting me that badly. (that and my car gets 34 miles to the gallon highway- not fabulous but better than most)

It's partially panic, partially capacity. Releasing the reserve is nothing more than a photo op because it still needs to be refined and that's where the breakdown is. Maybe the stupid American public will finally learn that funding public transportation and new forms of energy isn't some leftist tree-hugging ideal but fundemental to our wallets.

Jenn

[fluffhead]

Maybe the stupid American public will finally learn that funding public transportation and new forms of energy isn't some leftist tree-hugging ideal but fundamental to our wallets.

right on sister!

[Rapunzel]

I've heard that there is some price-gouging going on at the pump in certain states as well.

Jennifer

[DCJenn]

I'm sure that there are a whole lot of people who are going to try to get something from this mess.

Interesting note in the Post a few days ago, that as prices are increasing, people are buying less which is dramatically impacting the tax receipts received by the various states (and DC). This impacts all additional transportation infrastructure projects because most states use the gas tax $ to build or improve new roads.

Jenn

You have to hit the public over the head with their wallets to get change. We are a reactive society, not a proactive one for the most part.

Most of the increases made in fuel efficency that we do have took place when there were lines for gas back in the 70's, as a reaction to the lines.

I just bought a bike today, and DH rides his to class. I guess worst comes to worst we just walk to the supermarket with our red wagon.

This really makes me miss our old neighborhood. Just about everything we needed was in a 1 mile or closer walking distance easily traveled over sidewalks. I'm about that far from banks, grocery store, library, etc now, but it's not easy walking with a stroller big enough to actually bring things back.

Hmmm...I could carry the toddler in the backpack and put groceries in a stroller.....hit me over the head with my wallet a little harder!

[pstone]

Wow, I got a great deal yesterday on a used Hummer, I traded my civic with a full tank of gas for they guys Hummer empty. I asked the gas station if I could make payments on filling up the tank and they said "sure, pay for one gallon now, drive around the block and pay for the next one after that."

[migirl]

I paid $3.19/gallon yesterday, it shot up from $2.89 the day before and of course I didn't think ahead to fill up when it was 'cheaper.'

I spent $45 filling up my sensible, pretty-fuel-efficient sedan (I can usually get ~30 mpg). That's just wrong!

I haven't heard of any shortages around me, though. Between gas prices and the state of the economy in Michigan now, it's going to get ugly...

A huge part of this problem was that something like 70% of the US oil/gasoline refining and shipping is done through the port at New Orleans. I am not sure if you saw it or not, but there was an oil derrick from the Gulf that washed up on the shore in Mississippi. The hurricane cut right through the US oil drilling field in the Gulf. They were predicting gas at $3.10/gallon here about three days before it hit, because there would be some damage no matter the size of the storm. Now with all the damage getting out of the city and to the refineries themselves, we may never see gas below $2.80/gallon again...ever. Anyway, just what I have heard locally that I thought I would pass on....