Gas Shortage Fuels Fights

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Posted: 8:04 AM Sep 23, 2008
Last Updated: 8:04 AM Sep 23, 2008

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Fights broke out between motorists waiting in long lines for fuel at an Asheville station and managers called police for help.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that three fights occurred Monday at Roadrunner Shell. Station manager Marsha Messer directed lines of cars in her lot and said people are panicked about the shortage.

Some experts say Asheville's distance from the Colonial Pipeline could be adding to the shortage. The pipeline is the main source of East Coast gasoline supplies that were reduced after Hurricane Ike closed oil refineries on the Gulf Coast.

Buncombe County deputy fire marshal Mack Salley said he's talked to local distributors who said they're sending trucks to get gas and they're coming back empty.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Suzie Location: New York City on Oct 1, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I have been trying to understand why there is such a severe a shortage in SC and frankly have not found a definitive explanation. Here is the Northeast there is not a hint of this problem - - and wer are alot further away from the oil fields than you are. I think you had better take a look at your local suppliers and local political leaders instead of babbling on and on about national issues. Although this is not just your local issue, it is up to you all to solve it locally. I agree with every comment on conservation, but seriously, do any of you ever take public transportation or ever suggest it be installed in our areas or ever vote locally in support of more buses and trains? And how many of you have bought your kids cars and trucks? How many cars does one family really need?

Posted by: XXX Location: Greenville on Sep 28, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Just a little fact: Refineries ARE needed but are not being built, why? Its not the oil companies preventing it. Its our wonderful congress, led by lib. democrats that have been preventing new refinery construction. But finally a little give? Congress says let's drill, but not within 50 miles of the coast. One might see a little bit of sunshine there until you realize that most of the known resources are 30 miles offshore. Yea there's sunshine there, but its just congress blowing it up our butts.

Posted by: Obama Snake Oil co Location: Washington on Sep 28, 2008 at 07:09 AM
It would appear that the conspiricy theory some of you have is unfounded. A lot of production capability was shut down before and damaged after Ike hit. The pipeline has been shut down. SC has very little gas and very little trucks. Some in the state have shut down schools. Yet some of the people here in NC have showed now restraint in conserving fuel. They drive like their are not problems, speed, drive "trucks" which guzzle, use drive thrus where they can sit waiting to burn more fuel. I caught the post about a kid having to park a "truck". I have no sympathy for him. Trucks are not the daily driver vehicle of choice. Especially for school. So, the point being that eastern carolina has made no effort to conserve fuel like they could. Not using the school bus, just wait till the shortage hits here when the middle east is withdrawn by Obama....

Posted by: James Location: Greenville on Sep 27, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I am so sick of this "Us and Them" mentality within this God-forsaken country. If something isn't the "conservatives" fault, then it's the "liberals" and vice versa. Opening an argument with "James, you're an idiot," is exactly why trivial garbage is clouding the important issues at hand. Perhaps the large hadron collider will do everyone a favor and suck our existence into the black hole that is our unwarranted pride as a species.

Posted by: Tad Location: Jamesville on Sep 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Yes James, you are. Sometimes James, wars have to be fought. Unfortunately that's the world we live in. By the way, a great deal of these "loans to people who can't afford them in the first place" happended because of pressure from the leftists to make home loans more accessable to those who can't afford them. John, I have been to Asheville many times and it is hardly a city of "hillbillies and rednecks". It is actually a nest of those so called "open minded, progressives", in other words, they are actually close-minded liberals. They may be silly, but they are not "hillbillies and rednecks". They are, for the most part, nice to each other and to visitors. John, you should get out more.

Posted by: James Location: Greenville on Sep 27, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I may be an "Obama-voting idiot", but I at least know how to use apostrophes and proper capitalization. I wish I could be a genius and think that the last eight years of economic turmoil was caused by a black man running for president, rather than funding two wars and continually giving loans to people who can't afford them in the first place.

Posted by: Joe Location: Kinston on Sep 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM
wait till we get the democrat's drill plan of 100 miles offshore where there is little to no oil and a bill laden with pork barrel spending,but go ahead Idiot's vote Obama.

Posted by: derrick Location: The Bronx on Sep 27, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Lots of gas here in the North East.

Posted by: ???redneck??? on Sep 26, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Dear "JOHN" I think that its people like YOU that put labels on people (calling them hillbllies and rednecks...surprised that is allowed on here) that paint us all with the same brush. Now, if i were to usual a slur against a commonly used term....that would be racist??? Get a clue John. Gas affects us all, whether we are black, red, purple, green or yellow...its people like you John that give us Americans bad reputations. I would type all this three times, b/c i know your ignorance wont allow you to comprehend the first two times...God help us all.

Posted by: PM Location: NC on Sep 25, 2008 at 09:45 PM
We had plenty of gas after Ike when they were getting nearly $5.00 per gallon. Now you don't even see a tanker on the road. This is all just a ploy to get the drilling started off the coast of NC and Florida. Bush has to make good on all the promises he made to the lobbiest who made him win the election. Now all the sheep will say please Mr Bush get the drilling stared off our coast so we can fill up our giant SUV's. Why not get our armed forces to haul fuel from the West Coast to. My bad, there over in Iraq fighting to protect big oil interests. When will the sheep realize he's not the "Christian" they thought they elected? Maybe when we are soaking up spilled gasoline off the street with a sponge to put in our vehicle like in the Road Warrior movie.

Posted by: Josh Location: Concord,NC on Sep 25, 2008 at 06:01 PM
There is a shortage in parts of NC and it is because that those parts get their supply from a pipline that was damaged by IKE. Other parts get it from a different pipleine and aren't affected. There is no conspiracy on the shortage and by not selling gas doesn't make anyone any richer.

Posted by: Arline Location: Granite Falls, NC on Sep 25, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I too agree, gas shortage? Why? This is nothing but a way to make more money for the oil companies and their rich owners and stock holders. There is no shortage of gas, and the prices have not lowered even though the barrel price of oil went down considerably over the summer. Gas was increased about $1.50 per gallon BEFORE the hurricane which did not hurt the drilling in the Gulf, and has not gone done. Grocery prices the same, the excuse was the gas prices have gone up, but when they go down, nothing is effected. When is the government of this once great nation going to do something about the greed that is making the rich richer and the working class poor and unable to exist?

Posted by: john Location: cash on Sep 25, 2008 at 02:13 PM
it's those dumb hillbillies and rednecks. they think that the world is going to end and fill up their cars and extra containers, but does any of them learn about supply and demand in economics or do they even teach that to these people? i mean if people would just learn that if you get a regular amount of gas and pump wisely then there would not be this problem

Posted by: Vickie Location: North Carolina on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:17 PM
every NC citizen should contact their congressman and senators. This is absolutely ridiculous. There is no reason for this shortage. Any gas station that goes above what the normal should be, needs to be closed down.

Posted by: TD Location: Washington on Sep 24, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Ron Ayers (G-Ville) has plenty of motorcycles in the showroom. I am grateful for mine (55 MPG).

Posted by: Vickie Location: Jackson County on Sep 24, 2008 at 11:53 AM
My son is a Senior @ WCU in Cullowhee,NC (Jackson County) and he missed class yesterday and more than likely again today from lack of gas.Even his Professors who commute to and from are missing classes.He had to leave his truck at work last night and hopefully caught a ride back home.Most of Western,NC get gas from Spartanburg and Belton,SC But there seems to be no gas coming back with the trucks.What a mess for Independent stores and the customers!!!!

Posted by: Concerned Location: Greenville, N. C. on Sep 24, 2008 at 09:30 AM
I think someone needs to lecture the US government on what "Self Preservation" means. IT's common sense. You don't need a Philadephia lawyer to explain.

Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:43 AM
That goes along with what I am trying to get accross. You don't wait in "lines". This is the last ditch effort to get gas for some people. I will go to a station that has an open bay. The crazyness that occured a few Fridays ago had people waiting, burning gas, just to buy more expensive gas. I didn't buy into it. I get gas once a month for my Suburban. I went from 600 miles between fill ups, to 800 miles. I know big oil has us so this is my pay back. The problem with oil supply will change now that the houses have Okd drilling. Just mention of it will make oil prices worldwide to go down. The problem is you have some liberals stating that no drilling will make a difference publicly. Wrong, an oil exec mentioned they had to stop exploratory wells since they were not allowed to find out, drilling was not permitted. Thanks Jimmy Carter for sabatoge of our energy supply. Secret of gas mileage, do only the posted speed, put a golf ball on you dash. If you accelerate too quickly, gone.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Here; We haven't missed the point, we just choose not to directly address the issue of lunacy. Rather than discuss the juvenile behavior of some adult morons, we are discussing the root of the problem. Yankee; I choose not to live in a large metropolis where public transportation is readily available so I will continue to bleed at the pump. I don't like tall buildings, millions of people living on top each other, or the skyline and horizon being blocked out by tall buildings. Apparently you guys don't like it either or you wouldn't keep coming down here.

Posted by: here Location: here on Sep 24, 2008 at 07:47 AM
I think you all are missing the point of the story... Adults need to act like adults and not a bunch of high school kids when they wait in line for gas! GROW UP!

Posted by: Yankee Location: Yankeeland on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Vbush, there's plenty you can do. You choose where to live, where to work, and how to shop. Time to change some of those choices.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Sep 23, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I am not arguing or discounting your points. You are right, I am just simply saying that conserve or not, big oil has us and there isn't really anything much we can do about it.

Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Sep 23, 2008 at 04:39 PM
VBush, while I agree with end to the means, slowing down makes a big difference even with the big pig I drive. I find myself driving different than I used to. My point is conserve, 30% is a lot over my past driving. Yes, you have to have gas, been there during the Carter years. Rationing. But, something I observed lately, some people do nothing at all to conserve and complain about the price. For example, using drive thrus that are packed, well, there goes a half gallon, leaving the car running while they go inside even for a minute, running the AC no mater what, you have power windows, some don't use them at all and my favorite, taking kids to school when the bus goes right past the house. Then, waiting to drop off the children at the school line one at a time, another 1/2 gallon of gas. This is why I posted we are not frugal enough and most drive like rock stars. When they cannot get gas then they might understand what they have done.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Sep 23, 2008 at 02:30 PM
You aren't going to 'fight big oil'. You may conserve and cut back your usage, but in the end WE HAVE TO HAVE IT. Conservation is only going to take a little nibble out of it. We still have to go to work, the grocery store, etc. If you have children, you probably have to take them to some sort of sporting practice, school functions and what ever else you need to do.

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Sep 23, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Dwayne; Yachts

Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Sep 23, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Steve, I don't think that most Americans won't be Frugal or sensible. Some just will not slow down or show some comon sense. I go down 264 between Bath and Washington every morning. I am witness to how fast some drivers with SUVs are going and how some still jack rabbit start at the lights. I drive a Suburban from time to time and cannot afford to "drive like a rock star". I am saving 30% on fuel just by slowing down. Yes, leave for work 5 mins earlier. Yes, $1.20 a gallon savings. Yet they are in a hurry just to hit the oncoming lights. Everyday, the same guy in a pickup truck passes me at 64mph only to be passed by all the cars and trucks he passed earlier. What did he gain? It wasn't time and he didn't save any money.

Posted by: Robert Location: Greenville on Sep 23, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Dwayne, I dought it. They probably have their own trucks filling them at night while us working class people sleep. Good point. They probably don't even have to pay for it.

Posted by: Steve Location: Kinston on Sep 23, 2008 at 11:11 AM
The big speculators on Wall Street should be watched VERY closely. If truth be known, the foreign oil interests AND our patriotic oil big wigs may be stoking the commoditiy markets. Clamp down on oil speculation and the prices will fall through the floor if Americans will drive sensibly and frugally.

Posted by: T Location: Washignton on Sep 23, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I agree concerned. Our congress is not fighting for us. I also agree that the big oil execs are not having to wait to get gas. We must remember that if we voted them in office we can also vote them out. They make big promises to get our votes and then their paychecks change their minds because GREED sets in for them.

Posted by: Concerned Location: Greenville on Sep 23, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Please, let's not fight among ourselves. We are the ones getting ripped off. We need to be fighting the fat cats, the big oil companies.

Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greeville on Sep 23, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I wonder if Big Oil Executives are having to wait in line at the Marinas to fuel their yaughts?

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