The shortage is due to refinery problems. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is crude oil. It releasing it will not solve anyone's problems unless they have somewhere else they can get it refined!

There is still a critical gas shortage in Western North Carolina and it appears to be getting worse. Last week when it started you could still find fuel, but stations would only have one grade available. Now 9 out of 10 gas stations have their pumps completly shut down. The one out of ten that has gas (it is probably statistically less than 10%) have lines so long that their is a good chance fuel will not be available when you are done waiting. (This has actually happened twice to me personally after 30+ minute waits). I just hope that this tank (in the borrowed car I am driving since my two vehicles are out of gas) gets me to and from work until the crisis is over.

This is great. Now the residents can experience clean air with out the dirty Suvs and pick up trucks. Bring out the old mule and give her a spin. Rejoice, rejoice, and be glad. Vote Green Party for real change.

ITS ALL BULLS*** LOL..IF THEY WANTED GAS WE COULD GET IT...WHAT HAPPENS IF TEN HURRICANES COME...KIDS UNDER 18 SHOULD HAVE TO RIDE THE BUS AND SUV'S SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THAT MUCH...

I am in Asheville and things are rough. Unless you get up at 5am and stalk a station you might be lucky enough to get gas. My husband and I have been looking for 4 days now with no luck. In all reality this can be a great thing that is happening. Not that I want anyone to suffer but I think its high time we look at how to be self sufficient instead of depending on the government to bail us out all the time (then subsequently complaining that the government is too intrusive in our lives).

I live in Old Fort, and I drove around all day today in Asheville, where my college is, looking for gas. That failed, so I drove down highway 70 out to Black Mountain, which is more or less halfway between Asheville and Old Fort. No gas there, either. I can't go home tonight because my gas light is on and I live 30 min away from Black Mountain. This means my dogs won't get dinner or breakfast. I'm probably not going to be able to get to school tomorrow. This is getting entirely out of hand! If there's anything the government can do to help us, they had better start before the whole county shuts down.

Yeah, I live in Asheville as well, it's getting pretty ridiculous. I waited over an hour to get some gas the other day, and two cars from the pump I find out they're completely out. I live too far from school to get there by bike, so I have to wake up at 6 (after getting to bed around 1 or 2) just to make it to my classes on time, and that's assuming the buses run correctly.

Now I'm all for green power, absolutely in favor of increasing funding for public transportation, and ride my bike everywhere I can. But this situation is EXTREMELY inconvenient in the short-term because most of my grades in classes are dependent on attendance, and if I can't make it to class on time (which I often don't due to late buses), I'll have wasted thousands of dollars on books and tuition because I'll fail. What am I supposed to do?

Whoever said: "ITS ALL BULLS*** LOL..IF THEY WANTED GAS WE COULD GET IT...WHAT HAPPENS IF TEN HURRICANES COME...KIDS UNDER 18 SHOULD HAVE TO RIDE THE BUS AND SUV'S SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THAT MUCH..."
Who could get it? I surely couldn't. Also, the buses around here aren't well-run enough to help anyone. If I wanted to ride the bus I would have to wake up at four am, drive to black mountain, catch a bus to swannanoa, catch another bus to Asheville, catch another one to get to vaguely near UNCA and then catch yet another bus to get to campus. The whole process takes five to six hours. I'm sure kids under 18 are in the same boat. If you're referring to school buses, that isn't the problem. Most of the kids around here DO ride the bus to school and back, if there's a bus that goes to their area. Also, you say we should ride the bus and then say buses should have their gas limited. That's quite a contradiction. As for SUVs, what makes you think that people who drive them don't need to get to work as well?
thanks for the ignorance.

As for whoever said "I am in Asheville and things are rough. Unless you get up at 5am and stalk a station you might be lucky enough to get gas. My husband and I have been looking for 4 days now with no luck. In all reality this can be a great thing that is happening. Not that I want anyone to suffer but I think its high time we look at how to be self sufficient instead of depending on the government to bail us out all the time (then subsequently complaining that the government is too intrusive in our lives)." How do you expect us to help ourselves out with this one? I'm honestly curious, because I personally don't know anyone who barters on a regular basis with gas companies. They're all locked into contract with the gas stations, and we personally can't do a thing about that.
If we want change, the only thing that's going to get it is a riot, and that's just plain destruction. What, you think the companies are going to listen to a petition? The government? Oh yeah- you'd rather pay $5 a gallon for gas that's extraordinarily rare than have the government help us. That's what it's supposed to be there for, no matter how politicians have perverted its cause.

And who said: "This is great. Now the residents can experience clean air with out the dirty Suvs and pick up trucks. Bring out the old mule and give her a spin. Rejoice, rejoice, and be glad. Vote Green Party for real change."? Stop being insensitive. People who can't drive can't work, and therefore can't feed their children or go to college. Don't use a crisis to promote a political agenda- at least not without fixing the problem first.

Katie,

I realize that you don't want to have to change your behavior at all, but this just underscores how unsustainable it is to have people living in Old Fort while working or going to school in Asheville. Gas is only going to get more expensive, so now is as good a time as any to find a place to live where you don't have to drive half an hour each way to get to school, and where you could take a bus if you needed to. You obviously don't care too much about the environment, but maybe that could be a consideration at some point, too.

The lady that commented you are able to get gas. Could she please do the right thing and bring me 10 gallons so we can get to work.

We have a choice. We can continue to allow our government to bail out wallstreet and wage war or we can spend OUR money to retool public transportation and develop non petroleum energy. Peak oil is coming, now or ten years from now. This drill baby drill thing reminds me of a junkie vacuuming the carpet for a last hit.

They are finally starting to regulate this situaton. The traffic jam I witnessed today was being regulated by state troopers who not only limited you to twenty dollars of gas, but you were not permitted to get gas if you had over a half a tank!!!!! If people stopped panicking and trying to hoard the gas by filling up every car they own and filling up every gas can they can find, then we wouldn't have such a shortage to begin with. The radio stations aren't helping either. People are calling in to say what stations have fuel and then everyone in the city tries to get there at once!!! My wife spoke to a guy delivering fuel to Enmark today and he said by the time he got off the highway and into Enmark's parking lot he almost 50 or 60 cars following him to see where he was going!!! That is no way to be living. People need to calm down and wait this out...you should believe that at an average of $4.00 a gallon the gas companies will find a way to get you all the gas you want...and then some...all we are doing is proving to them that we are willing "stand" in line for 2 hours to get the chance to pay $5.00 for gas...hell, $10 dollars if we had to...why would they ever lower prices after witnessing something like this....CALM DOWN PEOPLE...IT WILL PASS!!!!

You hillbillies need to get with the times. We have global warming folks, and you ignorant people are responsible for it. Get with the program. Walk, hitchhike, and etc. Be creative. Do it for mother earth.

You cant find gas anywhere in Asheville as We speak.

Ms. Green, you are short sighted and just plain mean. Please consider your use of the word hillbilly and what stereotype you are conjuring.

We are people. We are dependent on a great many things and some need more inspiration than others to be creative. Pat and Michael, thank you!

I have watched my community actually mobilize rather quickly. It was a joy to see so many folks walking and on bikes safely riding around and the peace without lawn mowers has been sublime. It is not an easy region to get around in without cars. Our public transportation system is lacking and steep hills make it difficult for even many fit folks to walk and bike everywhere. This is a practice run. People do need to relax and continue to come together and share what they do have and enjoy some days off reflecting on a more simple reality while exploring their own neighborhoods.

As far as I know there is still plenty of locally made bio-fuel available.

One distributer is delivering without problems to Hesse.
The Mayor is looking into what it would take to have that same distributer deliver to other stations.
Theay are saying this could go on for another week or two.
I couldn't get to work today...

Prices are too low. Allow the gas station to raise prices until lines go back to normal. Shortage fixed.

http://www.mises.org/story/1962

The gas station down the street from my house has had gas every single morning for a couple of hours and then they bag up the pumps. I guess people have caught on because as I walked my dog by there this morning, there was a line down the block.

I've stopped driving except to get groceries. The buses here work well for getting downtown (but they are infrequent at night). We filled up our tank while at a dentist appointment in another county. We're going to make it last.

I disagree that location has anything to do with our problem. Asheville is NOT relatively remote, and is easily reached by I-40 and I-26.

Some station owners claim the shortage is due to pipeline damage from Gustav, others are blaming customers for topping their tanks each day and causing supply to sell out faster. Whatever the reason, it is getting worse and people are stressing out.

Mayor Bellamy should be on the phone with Raleigh and Washington and getting this problem solved. Other cities nearby do have gasoline, and local distributors should be forced to meet the demand one way or another.

The mayor and city council seem to work best at approving new real estate developments. Other than that, I don't see them doing anything at all.

I filled my tank week before last (I am lucky enough to have a really efficient vehicle) and haven't driven much - I'm down to 1/3 tank. But I'll walk the 1.5 miles to the grocery store and be thankful for the forced opportunity to get off my behind - instead of driving - today, and until the problem gets sorted out. I think it's probably best to save the gas for emergencies. Lets not get nasty with each other. Have a little humanity.

FYI - They're not bringing US troops back to the US in October (active duty) for nothing. It's for the rioting they think will happen...(food shortages are next) US troops on US soil - Posse Comitatus be damned. Prove them wrong - cooperate, help your neighbor.

It amazes me that you so called "greenies" are the "meanies". You think that running out of gas is somehow a good thing. What insensitive pricks you are. How about the farmer who is trying to feed his family, the plant worker who can't get to work, the health workers who rely on gas to get to and from their patients, the Meals on Wheels volunteers who can't deliver to homebound folks, and on and on it goes. Get a grip and start helping your neighbors instead of trying use this to further your own self interests or political agenda.

Gas in Charlotte is cheaper than Marion, whats-up with that. This WNC gas shortage is going to screw-up what is going to be a very colorful leaf season and those of us who depend on tourists in their SUVs for our living will suffer.

You drive a car? You want gas? What an idiot you are.

Hay folks, welcome to life under Al Gore's dream. Gas is bad. Modern industry is bad(be a Luddite). Go back to our energy footprint 100 years ago. Walk the talk and stop whining. I ride my horse(free food at the neighbors lawns). Live like the Amish and your spirituality will improve. During WWII half of America's food was raised organically in the backyards.

THIS IS A TEST OF PUBLIC RESPONSE: The memories of the populace are so short. Remember the old Honda Civic, Subaru Justy, and Ford Focus? They got 40-65 MPG, which approaches my 150cc Vespa's 60-80MPG (depends on how hard I drive it). Did hurricaines of the past SHUT DOWN our gas? NO! The Fed's S.Oil.R has gas, kerosene (jet, diesel) and crude. Now today an efficient car is in the 35-40 range. We need to demand that car makers bring back fuel pre-evaporation. It is on police cars: ASK YOUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICER! Their V-8's are not gas guzzlers. In fact under nominal driving conditions they get over 70 MPG in a heavy V-8. The auto industry is in on the scam. We inject atomized but still liquid gas into our engines now under the guise of emmisions, but not all of it burns and is used to heat the catalytic converters hotter so they can use less expensive metals. People stop fussing and fix the problem yourselves. Nobody is going to do it for you. Get an EFIE installed in your car or better yet a HHO Generator with an EFIE or a rare-earth perpetual motor with flywheel. My Vespa runs on only 93 octane (which I cannot get in Asheville) and/or Hydrogen. Guess I will be buying more solar panels to generate more hydrogen now instead of wasting more money on OIL. Google: "Lawton PWM", "PWM Power", "HHO Gas" and "EFIE".

I just wanted to say a few things.

1. The gas shortage - While I realize that there is a shortage and the pipeline is running slowly. It is not completely shut down. There is still gas being shipped to WNC. The shortage is real but the outage is man-made. Everyone that has a half a tank or more could have gone another week or more without refueling, but went to refuel anyway because they heard it was running low so everyone went to "TOP OFF" which is creating the crisis. Why not just fill your car up as normal and the problem wouldn't be nearly as bad as it is. Look up the incident from Sat 9/21/2008 in Nashville - this is a prime example of what is happening to WNC.

2. Busses I saw someone say that it took 5 busses to get to UNCA from Black Mountain. I am not quite sure where this information is coming from. I know there is a route to Black Mountain as I ride the bus. I do not know the hours for that route, but I do know once you reach downtown. You can catch the Merrimon Ave Bus and it runs right into UNCA (not remotely close) but inside the campus) 2 - 3 hrs max. This is not something that I am saying you should do daily, but it wouldn't hurt to do it temporarily. Or you can spend 2-3hrs looking for gas.

3. As for Political Agendas and Gas Corporations. I'm sorry but the United States of America is a country for the people run by the people. One thing that has been forgotten by far to many is that the government works for us not the other way around. Take control of your country instead of griping about it do it. The government works for you and I not for the corporations. Lobbyists now rule our government and that is why the Oil companies get away with the prices and everything else. My question to the government is this. There is a federal law against price gouging. How is raising gas prices when the gas is running out not price gouging? Why do these people never get fined?

I hate you Ms. Green. You are the reason why people hate hippies. You are so clueless about the way people live. I am all for saving the planet and being less dependent on gas and oil, but it is not that easy. I do a lot for the environment, but you are only making us look bad. Maybe you don't realize that people cannot flip a switch and all of a sudden run my car on water. I cannot walk or ride a bike to work. It is way bigger than us. Small changes wont save the planet. So you "Be green", I'm sure you will be at the gas station like the rest of us. The only difference is the amount of bumper stickers on the back of your car telling us how bad we are. Your comments only make things worse. You have zero positive effect on the world around you. All you do is convince yourself that you are better than other people. Times are hard, and you don't help. I would love to sit at home and make hippy necklaces for a living, but I work like the rest of us.

All of you who voted- and re-voted for Bush are getting what you asked for. Bush ruined our great country in 8 years!

Elect Obama and he will help us working class folks.

At 6 this morning, I was next in line at a pump after waiting about an hour. The car in front of me at the pump was a Ford Expedition -- a whale with a 40 gallon tank! The female driver pumping gas looked like a teenager and couldn't have werighed more than a hundred pounds. The gas trickled out of the hose and she remained there for about a half hour, sucking the pump dry. When I asked her if she would allow someone else to get gas before it ran dry,she did not budge.
This is just plain wrong!

Fritz,

You took the words right out of my mouth!

Asheville needs leadership!

All it has now are "Mayor" Bellamy and a City Council with one Councilman bought and paid for by developers.

Hey! Why should they do anything to help the gas situation. They've got all the gas they need!

Asheville voters made a big mistake at the polls last time. Any one for a recall or 2 or 3 or 4.....?

Buy a bike. Seriously. I bike to work, friends' houses, whatever, and only put gas in my tank once a month or so... Sure, the shortage affects me because it creates problems for my friends, coworkers, stores, etc. but mostly I think you have only yourself to blame for being so dependent on gasoline. Buy a bike and leave the gas for people who really need it - like farmers or delivery services.

Hello, out there. I heard a story (and I suppose many "urban legends" will arise from this) about a woman who waited two hours at a station and when the cops waved her toward a pump she pulled up on the wrong side so had to u-turn to get back in the right way. Another driver, a woman, just got out of a car and punched her. It is these stories of violence which disturb me the most, and the sight of police cars at the one-in-thirty (or fifty?) gas stations with a supply.

Another interesting sight: in Cherokee one gas station had just put a teepee in front of the pumps.

As for me, I mapped out a path to the grocery store I could follow if I had a horse. I am seriously considering adopting a horse! It makes so much sense to me right now. My only question is: do they make childseats for horses?

I had planned to have dinner with my favorite poet and dear friend Galway Kinnell in Hickory tonight. Hickory doesn't have gas either and I can't risk being stranded because I have a child.

I suppose the lesson is that we live big and are capable of living much smaller. I think we're all realizing how to use what is in the immediate vicinity and small adjustments we can make to get through this week.

Even knowing it is "just a week" it is a potent reminder that this CAN happen here. I swear, seeing the lines at the stations I think of the Soviet Union.

In short, Asheville is having a painful learning experience.

Back in the 70's, we went through this same sordid mess....reduced availability of fuel, long lines, pissed off people. 30+ years later and we've made no progress in fuel efficiency or alternative fuels. This is our own doing. Ready for change yet?

Change like switching to bikes, modifying public transit and using alternative fuels doesn't come over night. So those of you who are thanking their gods for a fuel shortage are missing the difference between influence and crisis. This community is drying up under the fear of running out of gas. Stores are empty. Restaurants are empty. Activities are cancelled. And as one of the instantly-laid-off-until-people-leave-their-houses, I know that many people as well as businesses are feeling the pinch from the sudden no-drive, no-buy backlash.

Mr. Gas, you have a very negative attitude. Get a horse like Marylou and it will live off your neighbors lawns. You need to be creative and not use so much gas after this shortage which will pass. If you are not going to get a horse(or a Texas mule) then move to the big city where they have a bus. If you want to live the country lifestyle, then really live it like the Amish. Get real, you are a city type, so move to the city and ride the bus. Being Ms.Green, I live in the green, the forest. We are self sufficient. We have an old VW bus and give rides to our friends and their crops. Yes, the bus has more stickers than you can imagine, not to mention the creative painting.

Ms. Green! Now, now, there Green Hippie Lady, BE NICE to the 'Hillbillies' - not everyone can be so smugly Enviro-not-feeling-very-guilty-and/or-superior- than others-in-regards-to-all-of-this-Crap!
I DO live in the Big City - Portland Freaking Oregon, to be specific - and I haven't owned a Car in 15 years; so I can take you on, No Prob!
Mr. Gas is WRONG in many of the ways that you no doubt think he is, and People like him probably deserve at least some castigation; but he's also right about the 'Ya Got Any Viable Solutions?' Issue -if only because most people can't move to a Self-Sufficient Farm like you (personally, I'm Disabled, and would no doubt starve to Death!).
Thus, I say; put out some positive Qi - not this kind of Negative 'Your All Ignorant Cretins' Stuff!
We need all of the Activists' taking Actions that we can get - but no one wants to be beaten with sticks; so "Think Carrot"!
You might just inspire a Stupid Hillbilly to do 'The Right Thing', instead of making them hate your Smug Self - and ME TOO!
Tie Dyes for all!

This is possibly one of the worst crisis's to hit our region as long as I can remember, and as I read this, I'm truly wounded to see even here, that we are being nasty and arguing amongst ourselves. We are solving nothing battling one another on politics and environmental concerns. I spent three years in college studying the environment and the economy. They are interlinked and the gas crisis here is only viable proof of what affects one affects the other. We are dependent on gas, and the affects of the environment and the hurricanes are as clear as the effects on WNC economy. I'm a store manager and have done all I can do to help my employees get to work and try to keep business going, even giving carpools where I can. It’s not much, but I at least know others can feed their families and try to weather this. I agree we need action and need to do something to alleviate this crisis before this region is demolished by this crisis. We have voices, we can act and we can do something. What’s wrong with helping neighbors in a time of crisis, unifying rather than splintering and shattering all to pieces? Condemning one another and crushing free thought because of differences solves nothing. Why in the world aren’t we using this to share information and try to think of solutions rather than going backwards and forth like boxers? Differences are differences, however they don’t mean divide. I wish I had useful information to offer here, or I’d share it myself other than suggest those with gas drive sensibly and try to conserve as much as you can and those without, I read a fuel tip on WLOS 13 that avoid idling after a minute, it takes less gas to start than it does to idle, and for those running AC, do so only if you must, it’s a heavy burden on the engine and can save up to 20% fuel consumption. These tips aren’t major and may be old news; however I’d rather be posting this than firing at those I disagree with. Let’s do what we can with what we have.

o.k. so i live in asheville. i get 35 mpg on the highway and 21 around this mountain town. there is no gas and as i type this i am planning a ride to tennesee where there is gas. how silly. this is all foolishness and selfish greed. there is no reason for this exept that these gas companies can do what they want and our government is helpless to stop them. our country, America inc. is one of many corporations like wallmart and home depot and brittish petroleum. do you really still believe we are free and or government is of for and by the people. we aren't people. we are sheep and we are well trained and stay in our pastures. we all bleet and grumble but ultimately have no recourse against our sheppards because we think he"s the dog nipping at our heals when really we have no clue where he is or how to recognize him. good luck everyone.

Well, I no longer live in Asheville, but I have friends and family there. They just told me that you can't pump more than $10 worth of gas and everyone is worried they are going to run out of gas trying to make it home. This is a serious issue, and who says that Asheville is in a remote place? That is BS if I ever heard it. Someone needs to get their act together and help Asheville and all others who are hurting right now. True people need to car pool and try to take the bus to try and preserve the gas, but this is all ridiculous. To my friends, Family, and all others in Asheville and surrounding places hurting in this, you are all in my prayers.

I'm in Asheville. I don't drive. I live and work where I can walk where I need to go.

Yes, there are very few stations with gas and mile long lines and hours long waits.

This time is likely somewhat temporary, but the figures I am seeing suggest there will be much worse panic within the next few days as many, many more people are absolutely unable to obtain gas.

This time is from lost refining capacity. Next time will be permanent, soon, and caused by insufficient petroleum imports available to the U.S.

Oil production peaked in 2005, and the result is going to be rapidly declining oil imports, that will very soon make this kind of shortage the normal situation.

I'm sorry to the people who have not been informed about our energy situation. Lifestyles will need to change using principles of re-localization.

Pass this quiz. The final exam is probably within 6 months.

So this is all Bush's fault? Ha! I've heard it all now! I guess he created the hurricane, told them to shut down the pipeline and used his Presidential powers to request that Asheville be denied gasoline. Please take time to acquaint yourself with the role that the Congress and Senate play in administering a democratic government before making such ignorant statements.
Now back to the gas crisis!

I didn't read every post, so please forgive me if someone already made this point: isn't it a bit ironic that people are DRIVING around all day looking for gas stations with gas so they can fill up and start driving around again? I mean seriously, you can't go home and your dogs are starving because you chose to run out your tank looking for somewhere to fill it up?

I live in Louisville where we just had a huge windstorm that knocked the power out to about 90% of the city. Schools closed for an entire week and I was personally without power for 4 days. I sat around thinking "Boy, it would have been nice to have some solar panels on the roof right now. Too bad they are prohibitively expensive." But you know what, they wouldn't be if the government stepped in and created some type of program that allowed people to pay it off over time (the way you pay your property taxes as part of your mortgage payment for example).

People in Asheville wouldn't be stranded if they had plug in vehichles. The key is not being dependant on one energy source. Ok, that's one key. The other is, as realist said, changing our lifestyles so that we don't require as much energy in the first place. This year I put my kids on the school bus for the first time, and my husband is riding his bike to work most days. He can do that because we live 4 car minutes (15 bike minutes) from downtown where he works.

And as for public transportation taking 5 to 6 hours-- people who can't afford cars have been dealing with that problem for years. I've heard many people say about the unemployed, "Why don't they just get a job and take the bus?" It's not that easy, is it? Now imagine having to do your grocery shopping with your two preschoolers in tow using the bus! Maybe now that middle class people have to/want to take the bus, people will start demanding better public transportation and our public officials will listen.

Ms. Green, I worship Father GOD not mother earth. I have been almost out of gas two different times and was able to get gas I have full tank now by waiting in for 20 min. My prayer is that all the hard working people in the Asheville area get the gas they need to go to work and the places they need to go.

I don't drive and take the bus every day to work. The buses are experiencing a drastic increase in ridership. The libraries (where I work) have been shut down along with most other county services until next Tuesday. People are stressed but most seem to be taking things in stride. Only a few violent episodes at the gas stations (like four or five).

The mayor came on the air to address Asheville, the problem is that she mumbled random solutions with no actual resolve. She is trying?? Local companies were warned about a possible shortage almost 3 weeks...but the local "bought" government didn't give a sh*t or mention it until this week. It is too late mayor Belamy, try getting your developer buddies to bail you out. WNC is suffering and may suffer through their core tourists season. Congrats!!! Remember who is in office, and who is responsible...take it to the polls.

I am in Weaverville, a few miles North of Asheville. things in this small town are not close together, so it's hard for us to get around, and because there's practically no sidewalk, we can't ride bikes or walk. It's just getting worse, and the panic is mainly caused by the media. School is being cancelled further, and many people cannot go to work.

What bugs me is that people are panicking and making this whole thing worse and all the freaking SUVs take so much gas at one time. I personally don't think limits would be bad because then at least people could get enough gas to get to work.

I go to college in HIckory, NC - the word is that Hickory, Morganton, Charlotte, and Asheville are all out of gas tonight.

I agree with Luis M. If gas demand is the same and supply has fallen in Asheville, the prices you pay at the pump should go up. Raise the price so fuel isn't rationed, and those who need it the most will get fuel.

Yes, the gas shortage continues here in Asheville. Is there anyone or any source out there can fully explain why we are having a gas shortage here in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Is there human mismanagement, fraud or greed at work in this? And, yes, I definitely feel that the federal government should step in and help out. Why can't they and why aren't they, and would it really be all that difficult? Anyone have any answers, however tenuous, to any of these questions?

The city government should run emergency buses. Maybe use school buses. The city should bring in gas from Tennessee to run the buses.

Biking is good for those who can do it, but lots of people can't bike.

I have a friend who lives in Hendersonville, NC. This shortage began prior to Hurricane Ike. It seems other cities in NC have a normal supply of gas. Why the people in Asheville and the surrounding areas can't get any gas is a mystery.
There's something fishy going on here.

She was finally able to fill up both their cars today. Husband works 25 miles away though, so it won't last long.

Somebody other than the government and oil officials need to dig into this, I'm sure they'll find someone who's to blame for the shortage.

It's not just supposedly 'remeote' Asheville--I live in the heart of Atlanta, and most stations around are tapped out too. Those that aren't have limits on how much you can buy--$30 and dropping. While there are clearly supply issues, a large part of it seems to be the self-fulfilling prophecy of constant 'gas crisis?' news reports and an easily-panicked populace.

The problem isn't a new one--it's supply and demand, one of the most fundamental ideas in our society. We've known this was coming for decades, but our only response to waning supplies has been to *increase* our demand. Drilling more, either offshore or in Alaska, does nothing to address the actual problem; it's not dependence on *foreign* oil that's going to cripple us, it's our dependence on oil itself.

The current shortage will be over in a few weeks, hopefully, but prices will continue to rise and shortages will become more common. One good thing that could, possibly, come out of this is a newfound dedication to energy conservation and alternative energy research. Now that people have glimpsed how bad things *could* get, maybe things like public transportation and car pooling won't seem so unpalatable.

Actually it's not the "hillbillys" as they typically work very close to if not actually "at" where they live. It's the people who've forgotten the gas crunch of the 70's (which should have been a wake up warning to all of us, but American's as a whole are fat, lazy, overindulgent, self centered, spoiled and arrogant and so keep buying Ford F150's, humvee's and other egocentric vehicles) who should've made the decision never to buy anything but as gas efficient a car as possible and also choose to live as close to where they work as possible. But NOOO! The average commute I once heard was 45 minutes, astounding and impossible to make by bicycle. I, at age 52, rode my bicycle 7 miles to work and 7 miles home every day for a year just to keep from buying a second car. I was in great shape then. I am considering going back to a bike with panniers to to do our grocery shopping, at age 62! Whine, whine, whine about living to far away, it was your choice.....

My university students are carpooling (I'm carpooling, too, to get to class). Most people I know are staying home, creating cool activities for their kids rather than going on outings.

And yet, the fights at the gas stations have gained us national attention--more than our pluckiness and our ability to adjust by pumping up our bike tires. All over Asheville, people are having an awakening and curbing their consumption. Many see this as a gift, an opportunity to make sacrifices for others who really need gas to get to work. We're getting a new sense of space--realizing we can get what we need without using our vehicles. (I for one am becoming a much more creative cook, using up what I have in my pantry). That Asheville gets national attention for the few people losing their tempers at the pump and the placing of cops at the gas stations is misleading. We're managing quite well. We're doing amazingly well, and we are rising to set an example to the country of how to work together in a crisis.

I tried to join the massive lines to get gas on Tuesday night from the citi-stop on biltmore. I waited for an hour and 38 minutes (yes, I timed it). Drivers in line conserved gas by turning off their cars while waiting to move forward. Citistop closed early before I even came close to pulling into their parking lot---and NOT because they ran out of gas. I have an acquaintance who works for citi-stop and he reported that the owner had decided to shut down because he was losing money in sales from DUNKIN DONUTS!! He delayed opening the pumps the next day in an effort to boost donut and coffee sales--(gee, is there something wrong with that picture?). He figured that sales had dropped because people did not want to make others (in line for gas) wait longer to fuel up. I think I'll be taking my business elsewhere in the future!

In regards to Uncle Ken's Comments: It's great if you can afford to live within the city limits--I would sure love to believe me! If I could afford to live in the city I would ride my bike or walk everywhere I needed to go! Unfortunately--I can not afford to live in the city--I live in fairview, about a 17 mile commute to UNCA where I go to college. I have a car and a scooter but sometimes driving my scooter on 74 and the short distance on 240 is dangerous and I choose to drive the car (morning traffic can be especially bad). So Uncle Ken--I understand your point--but mine is : the world is not black and white--and it can't hurt to have some faith in humanity--not all of us suck--and not all of those who do are opposed to change.

I just spent a week in Naashville. No gas there either.

AMEN to this. You are so right in all that you said.

Just goes to show how our mighty way of life is really a shallow, fragile, wrath-inviting fantasy.

Uncle Ben, you are right.

We live in Boone, NC; about 1:45 NE of Asheville. I found one gas station in town with gas. $30 limit. We can't walk or ride bikes because of the mountainous terrain. There are no bus routes outside of town limits. My wife has been car pooling for over a year now. She saw a flatlander (from Florida) fill up his SUV, then fill up three more 5 gal. tanks. There's your problem.

As longer as our beloved politicians getting their candies from the greedy & selfish oil companies,they'll never try to push them to build a new refinries far away from the Hurricanes regions.

hi, i'm in asheville too and here we're all in it together folks, whether we enjoy each other's company or not...i think i might volunteer my 3 hours of waiting time to do some juggling, hula hooping, and recording of this event...it is important to see how people are responding, as these comments show. the BIG stressor(s) are things we personally may not be able to alleviate...BUT we can try to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of others...i too am worried about not having a job, and my place of work is only 2 miles out of town! but we'll just have to see......

Today I noticed that ALL 4 stations in Bryson City are completely dry. No gas.
Tourists are stranded in Hotels. Pretty bad here.
Beginning to wonder WHEN are things going to get back to normal?

Lisa
Bryson City, NC

Lisa, maybe if you would have a massive demonstration and march, strong activism to get attention. That is how the system works. Throw up the barricades, act up like Al Sharpton would.

I aint got no gas also.I"ll have to get a bike so I can get to the polls on time!

What's going on? The immediate answer is that the double whammy of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which swept through the Gulf of Mexico earlier this month, caused much of the Gulf's oil drilling and refinery production to be shut down. In particular Ike, which hit refinery-rich Southeastern Texas on Sept. 13, caused massive power outages in the Galveston and Houston areas.

As of this week, more than a dozen refineries around Texas City and Port Arthur were not operating at full capacity and, according to the Department of Energy, six refineries, with a combined capacity of 1.6 million barrels a day, were still not running at all.But while the current shortages can be traced directly to the two hurricanes, the severity of the problem points out a bigger issue: The U.S. has been operating for a while with razor-thin spare gasoline capacity.

In its most recent Weekly Oil Data Review, Barclays Capital pointed out that the U.S. gasoline inventory has reached its lowest level since August 1967, when demand was a little more than half its current level of 9.3 million barrels a day. At 178.7 million barrels, inventories are 21.6 million barrels below their five-year average.
Getting back to a safer level of extra capacity isn't simple, either. Once the refineries get back up and running, they'll drain the already low crude oil inventories. Unless gasoline demand stays low, Simmons believes, we'll have a hard time clawing back to stability.

That's why he worries about a top-up catastrophe that could cripple the trucking industry and disrupt food deliveries.

As he told me the other day: "If we end up having gasoline shortages, the odds are about 90% that Americans will do what we always do: We'll top up our tanks. And in topping up our tanks, within three or four days we'll drain the pool dry and then within seven days we'll run out of food."

How come the last post was deleted? Some of us are watching this as a case study, knowing that these scenarios are inevitable going forward, on a more wide spread basis. The deleted post was another step in the typical, predictable, psychological response process. First denial, then anger, then blame...the continuation of the process doesn't get prettier. It's fine to get to step two, go ahead and get angry, but direct that energy into helping each other, not turning on each other.

This is no one person's fault. although I have never voted for any president, let alone Bush, I have to mention all those people on the other branches do help contribute to the problems we face.

I know none of you guys need me to say that it is hard to switch from driving your car to riding a bike,a bus, or walking,but would you rather wait for us to be in a desperate situation to start? The people selling gas,only sell it to you so high of a price because they know you will buy it-so much that they run out. While most people are driving only 4 blocks down the road to buy groceries, we are only leaving less gas for those who distribute the food for the stores in the future.I thought I heard that if we ever did run out of gas, in the town we live in, it would take only six days for stores to run completely out of food. All I can say is don't freak out and hog up the gas, ride a bike WHENEVER YOU CAN,and brace for impact. (Its a little late for subsistence farming, but you can still keep an emergency food supply somewhere for when/if something does happen)