AJC.com > Talk of the town > Archives > 2008 > September > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTuesday: The Great Atlanta Gas Hunt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Listen to the talk of the town today, and it’s mostly about gas: where to find it, how much it costs, when we’ll get more of it and how we’re getting around without it.
Check back for the latest news and notes on the gas shortage in the Southeast, and look behind the links at the bottom for tips on hunting gas, saving gas and how to live without it. Share your woes and ideas for how to get around in the comments.
We can’t give you gas, but we can give you information in one tidy little package. The Great Atlanta Gas Hunt of ‘08 is on.
5:27 p.m. The pace of news is slowing and Twitter is quieting down Happy commuting, folks. See you in the morning!
5:05 p.m. Share a ride to an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performance. The ASO is trying to draw an audience in whatever way they can, whether by carpool or MARTA. The link above leads to a ride-sharing site that can help ASO patrons to find other concertgoers in their neighborhood. The ASO also provides directions about how to get to performances via MARTA.
4:15 p.m. Gas shortage discussed on Talk of the Nation. Patrick Jonsson, a reporter in Atlanta for the Christian Science Monitor, explained the problem on the National Public Radio show today, along with folks in other states. It’s moments like this when I remember: Oh wait. Most of the country has the pain of high prices, but not the sucker punch of low supply.
3:23 p.m. Is the gas hunt really getting easier? We seem calmer, but it’s approaching commute time. Keep us updated about how it’s going, and if you see a particularly interesting scene, submit your photo to be published on AJC.com. Maybe on my way to work tomorrow, I’ll try to catch a photo of all the bikers along my route. Some looked a bit wobbly on two wheels, but I have to be proud of ‘em for making a go of it.
2:30 p.m. What’s the best way to fix a shortage? Tex Pitfield, president and CEO of Saraguay Petroleum in Atlanta said the governor’s office should’ve responded quicker. Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, and Carol Couch, director of the environmental protection division at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said motorists should do their part. The discussion continues, but what do you think? Also: North Carolina’s Gov. Mike Easley blames oil firms for the gas shortage in his state.
2:07 p.m. Atlanta’s gas pipeline is at 100 percent, but… it’ll still be a week or two before things are back to normal, WSB reports. Thirteen of the 15 refineries knocked off line are back in operation, it just takes time for that gas to get here.
1:54 p.m. Football survived the gas shortage. Will NASCAR? It was a tough trip to Athens for some UGA fans this weekend. In Alabama, Talladega Superspeedway officials say they’re watching the gas levels and expect to have an ample supply of gasoline for the 150,000 people attending the Amp Energy 500 on Sunday. Are you changing your weekend plans because of gas shortages?
1:44 p.m. Gas lines shrinking, transit lines growing? Gwinnett and Cobb county transit both saw a surge in ridership on Monday. Gwinnett had one of its busiest days in history. “Just based on what we’re hearing from every bus driver, everything was pretty much loaded,” said Phil Boyd, director of Gwinnett County Transit.
1:40 p.m. Clayton police, fire are running low on gas. County officials say they’ve got enough to last through the weekend, but the situation is “serious.” They’ve said to stop using county vehicles for off-duty jobs, except for patrols at school sporting events and other after-school activities. (Huh. Didn’t realize they could use them for off-duty jobs.) They’re also skipping the lawn mowing.
12:45 p.m. Is premium the problem? We’re hearing from drivers that gas lines are getting shorter — ahh, relief! — but that premium gasoline is nowhere to be found. Let AJC reporter Stacy Shelton know what you’re paying for gas and whether the hunt for premium is the real challenge.
12:36 p.m. Gas deliveries, sent straight to your cell phone. I noticed this site listed on the ATLgas Twitter search. (Thanks, Gurnage!) GasNotify.com claims to send you a text message and e-mail when gas is delivered within a 10 mile radius of your ZIP code. Has anybody used it? Does it work?
12:24 p.m. It’s a shortage, sure, but is it an emergency? A story in Wednesday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution will explain that the state has an energy emergency plan that leaders chose not to implement. (Check out pages 53-57 for the goods on gas shortage.) The gas shortage steps include pushing the conservation message through local governments and media outlets, setting up an odd-even schedule for gas purchases that discourages panic-buying and setting up temporary HOV lanes to encourage ride-sharing. Would you have wanted those measures in place, or do you think this will resolve itself? Tell us in the comments, or tell reporter Stacy Shelton.
12:16 p.m. Siphoning, the cheater’s way of getting gas. Maybe it’s tempting to just snake a little hose into the neighbor’s gas tank and avoid the hours of wait, but it’s also a crime. Kennesaw Police arrested Joshua Anderson and Florencio Elacio, and charged each with theft and having tools of a crime after they say they saw the pair pull a hose from a gas tank. Have you heard of or spotted any siphoning in your area? Also: Three charged with stealing gas from towing company in Asheville, N.C.
11:50 a.m.: Would you give up gas for biodiesel? A Sunday AJC story Bo Emerson tells the story of commuters like East Cobb resident John Knop, who runs his 1985 Mercedes 300SD on waste vegetable oil from local restaurants. It has its down sides — collecting and filtering old oil, tinkering with diesel engines, keeping a grease reservoir at home — but it’s not sounding so bad right now, is it?
10:50 a.m.: Gas prices - California, 1, Georgia, 0. For once, it’s cheaper there than in 15 other states. Could you blame them for gloating a little? They’ve long had higher prices than just about every other place. Watch closely, though: oil prices fell on Monday.
Drivers report shorter lines on Tuesday. AAA says we’ve still got two weeks of shortage ahead of us, but QuikTrip told WSB-TV that all of its stations will have gas by Wednesday. Of course, higher demand means the supply goes quicker. Gov. Sonny Perdue is on a trade mission in Spain, but issued a statement on Monday calling for the Department of Energy to release a significant amount of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That crude oil would still have to be processed by refineries and shipped to the metro Atlanta market, though.
Like water for gasoline? Cobb County Commission and a prospective 2010 gubernatorial candidate Sam Olens suggests that the state ration gasoline on an odd-even basis. The plan would discourage residents from topping off every day, he says. U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson told The Marietta Daily Journal that the idea is a good one.
Gwinnett drivers discover the bus. Commuters were already packing Xpress buses as prices rose, but with the double whammy of high prices and short supply, well, as William Mecke, communications director for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority put it ““It was pretty normal this morning. Now, pretty normal for us is just about full.”
Elizabeth Jackson of Midtown signals ‘all is good’ while filling up her car at the BP Station at North Avenue and Spring Street. See more photos.
Resources
Gas shortage Q&A for all the basics.
Atlanta’s gas Twitter for real-time updates from drivers.
Atlanta area gas prices provided by GasBuddy.com.
Fueling tips from the AJC Smart Spending blog.
Shortage talk, public transportation information and transit planners from the AJC’s Your Money.
Rookies Guide to Riding MARTA, a guide from AJC writers and readers.
105 tips to use less gas from EcoModder.
Scenes from a shortage, a photo gallery of gas hunters.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment | Categories: gasprices
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Comments
By Souljah Girl
September 30, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Ride the MARTA and get SMARTA with Souljah Girl
By Sonny on Euro Vcation
September 30, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
” ya..ya.. ya…Souljah girl..I’d like to go freestyle on you Boo”.
By Cammie
September 30, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I was pleasantly surprised to find petro at the QT on Panola Rd. this morning. The line was long but, boy, it was was moving very fast!
The QT people blocked all but one entrance — so there was one IN and one way OUT — and they had workers directing vehicles to the pumps as they became available. It was the most organized and stress-free gas-buying experience I’ve had in a very long time.
By GreekGirl
September 30, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
My husband works in Doraville and he just saw 6 gas tankers go west and east on 285. He has yet to see that many or any while at work during the day.
By BUBBA
September 30, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
THERE IS GAS AT THE GOVERNORS MANSION OF COURSE, MORE THAN AMPLE FOR THE STRETCH LIMO.
By havethetankertimed
September 30, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
At the QT in Kennesaw on 41 their tanker comes around 10 am & then again about 6 pm. People are now starting to wait at the pumps & the parking lot there for the truck to arrive.
By Happy
September 30, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
The BP on Johnson Ferry, by Lower Roswell Road, has petrol (regular only) and very little wait time. I was in line for less than five minutes. Staff there are doing an excellent job managing & directing the flow of traffic!!
By Lisa
September 30, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
“The Great Atlanta Gas Hunt?”
What about “The Great Mike Hunt” instead?
By Mike D
September 30, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
This is a lot of fun and I do it the few times I ride MARTA each year. I buy a bottle of skunk scent from the large hunting goods supplier in Lawrenceville, and then I dab random people on the back with it. It takes them a few minutes to notice, but then it sticks with them all day.
By Tamika
September 30, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I Found Gas in my Pants!!
By Mildred
September 30, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
We stock up on gas by buying it whenever it is available. We also keep several cans full in our garage incase there is an emergency.
By Lulu
September 30, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Parked my car after driving for an hour to look for gas in Roswell. Picked a large under-used but highly visible parking lot nearest the last and distant gas station from my home and left my car locked there. Found a bus stop and took the bus home rather than face the certainty of running out of gas and blocking a BUSY street (where do all those cars find their gas?) Haven’t faced such since WW2, nothing like this in the 70’s gas shortage.
By Katy
September 30, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
If only Georgia had a better public transportation system.
By Obama Supporter
September 30, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
January 20th, Washington, DC, USA —-> Freaknik 2009
By Terry
September 30, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
You can see my tips for finding gas stations in your area if you go to my blog:
www.MrTerryCreditCardHelp.blogspot.com
It works for me and my family. More efficient than driving around looking for a gas station.
There are also tips on travel in the archives, especially if you have a long driving trip.
By Mary
September 30, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
It’s been a sad couple of weeks to see the attitudes and actions of many Georgia folks. It’s obvious that most of us in this state are not prepared for any type of crisis - nor are we prepared to give up or sacrifice one simple thing in order to minimize the demands we make on fuel. Arriving at Quik Trip last Friday night with less than a quarter tank and about 40 miles yet to drive home, I talked to a man waiting in line with me that had 3/4 a tank of gas and lived two miles from the station. When I asked him why he needed to put 1/4 tank in his car for the two mile drive, he said he needed to make sure he had plenty of gas for the weekend. I asked did he work on the weekends and he said no. Do you have to travel on the weekends, and again he said no. Do you go visit a loved one who is ill, again no. Why do you need a full tank of gas on the weekend? His answer - “because I like to meet my buddies out in midtown for dinner and you know, fellowship.” Yes, I knew what he meant and it angered me. I said to him how selfish he was that his recreational activies to party on the weekend were more important that allowing the person behind him - ME - who was almost out of gas to perhaps get gas so that I could just get home from work. That never crossed his mind. It doesn’t cross many of the minds of folks around here that they can sit at home, or stay closer to home and use alot less fuel so that the demands on our system are not so high. What’s wrong with this picture. None of this is the Governor’s fault, nor is it Ike’s fault - it’s the fact that most Americans - especially those I saw in Georgia over the last two weeks are two darned selfish to sacrific one simple “want to do” in order for others to be able to accomplish their “need to do” type of work or travel. Until we become less selfish about our lifestyles - we will never be able to face a crisis of any size or scope. God help us if weather shuts down a city for any length of time, or a real disaster touches Georgia.
By martin
September 30, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
don’t we miss the days of 96 olympics and gas was $1.50 or less. miss the days of bill clinton and monika lewisky. miss the days of dot com hey days when there were many millionares in their 30 and 20 something. god help us if there is another crisis. i hope my sister is doing okay getting to work and her husband and brother in law too. i miss the days whn falcons went to superbowwl and also hosted superbowll. is all BUSSHHH FAULT eversince he came into office.
By QT Fan
September 30, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Thanks to Quik Trip for helping ensure that most of their stations are often stocked with gas. The lines may sometimes be long, but they’ve done a much better than average job in keeping the stations, and motorists, supplied.
I often bought gas at QT in the past, but will try to always buy from them in the future. Just one way to say “thanks for the great job.”
By Courtney Allen
September 30, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
All gasoline comes to Atlanta thru 4 pipelines owned by Colonial and Plantation Pipeline, subsidiaries of Chevron. The pipes are (2)36” diameter and (2) 30” diameter, underground. They start in Louisiana (like Baton Rouge) and travel to Atlanta via pumping stations (tank farms) in LA, MS, AL, and GA(Breman big tank farm) - the pipes actually go as far as NJ. COLONIAL PIPELINE reports all pipelines are UP AND RUNNING and at full flow. Tankers in Doraville are working round the clock to distribute. It will only get better from hear, probably a week, then by 10-10-08 back to normal.
By Lulu
September 30, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Check your facts,folks. We’ve had hurricanes shut down refineries before (anyone recall this problem with Katrina? Gulf and Texas both shut down but nothing like this.) Me thinks there’s something else at work here. Check the possible political motives at play and where the power is. And no I don’t mean “the gov’ment”!
By JR
September 30, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
There’s still NO gas in Alpharetta. The gas map on WSBs website is BS. It listed several stations as having gas and they were ALL locked up tight!I haven’t gotten any gasoline in 10 days!!Gonna just stay home for the next week until all the top-offers go home and find something else to hoard.
By M. R. Biggins
September 30, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
I have had absolutely no problems finding gas with no lines at the pumps.
By CGA
September 30, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Since the gas shortage began, I’ve been fortunate enough to find gas twice in Newnan and Peachtree City when I have needed it with no long lines, no waiting, and no hour-long searches to find a station with gas. I also don’t have a long commute, either. I feel for all those people who have a long commute and worry daily about having enough gas to get to work. Hopefully this shortage will pass soon, for everyone’s sake!
By Lee
September 30, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
The past two weekends, my rural hometown has been completely out of gas. Last weekend, the entire county was out of gas. Closest station was 20 miles away.
The problem is that most of our stations are mom and pop businesses who are probably last in line to get gas.
So, forgive me when I top off when the gauge hits 1/2 tank.
I tend to agree with Lulu. Methinks there is someone playing games with us. What better way to keep gas prices jacked up than to create an artificial shortage.
Also, for those few stations who gouged the customer by jacking their price up to $4.29+, I’ve made a mental note of who you are and I’ll be damned if I ever give you another penny’s worth of business.
By Jeff
September 30, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Perdue in French means “lost”. How appropriate! He so totally is.
By Steve
September 30, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
So tell me why gas is 50 cents cheaper in South Carolina and readily available?
By gttim
September 30, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
I have bought gas 3 times since the shortage- every time at a Kroger. They have employees out directing traffic and making sure people do not cut in line. I make sure I tell them how much we appreciate their efforts! I frequently shop at Kroger, earning 3 or 10 cents off my gass price as well, but after seeing their and their employee’s efforts during this situation, I will do most of my shopping with them.
Also, thank you for sending the Porsche that hopped the line today to the back of the line! The guy drove around from far side and actually made it to an empty pump, when the employees sent him away! Nice to see him not get rewarded for cheating!
Again, thank you Kroger! We appreciate it!
By Jeff
September 30, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Plenty of gas here in Bremen Ga. Oh, i guess it helps that Plantation Pipeline is in Bremen.
By Gene
September 30, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Sonny Perdue was too busy hanging out in Mike Adams’ VIP suite at Georgia football games to be concerned with a little thing like a gas crisis.
By SpicyTimes.com
October 1, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
I found a GREAT FREE blog that will DONATE GAS TO EVERYONE in the Atlanta area that needs it!! It is founde by an Atlantan and a Floridian send this link to EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK AND TO EVERY NEWS AGENCY IN AMERICA! FREE GAS AT www.GasDonor.com that was www.GasDonor.com free videos and info on how to be a Gas Donor yourself!!
By NONIA
October 1, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
The Govenor could care less-he can’t run again for Govenor anyway! I’ve just about had it with Georgia with it’s laws that change overnight while we are asleep-the drought, ridiculously high vehicle ad valorem taxes to renew your car registration, backwards policies, little cities and towns that nickle and dime you to death with fees, taxes and no leadership. The elected officials scratch their heads in bewilderment on how to resolve the Atlanta metro areas’ traffic problem. The elected officials will approve building permits for new subdivisions and the same repetitive retail stores before dealing with the little 2 lane roads surrounding these subdivisions. Wouldn’t it be great to have Marta run up and down I-20, I-285 and 75/85?, but no the officials would rather put more subdivisions and stores on that land and then charge us to ride in the HOV lane like this will help! They approve building new schools then have a shortage of space thereby putting our kids in trailers outside of the brand new school! This place is sooo backwards.
By Jarrod
October 1, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
Got up at 4 AM this morning to try to find gas in the Alpharetta area. The ONLY gas station in Alpharetta that had it, was the QT on Old Milton Pkwy. The QT at Haynes was out as was every other gas station bewteen Alpharetta and Marietta. There is NO way anyone can tell me this situation is getting any better
By laidback and lucky
October 1, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
When the state runs out of money to build new highways or finish highway projects…the commish goes to Europe. When the state runs out of gas the gov goes to Europe. Is this some sort of unspoken plan amongst state officials. When the going get tough, the tough get going…TO EUROPE
By Kevin
October 1, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Well as of now citgo n exxon still out since last week…On hurricane shoals rd in lawrenceville off collins rd n northdale Rd….also the citgo out on Buford Hgy also…But are prudue is in europe
By alohagator
October 1, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
the BP on Cobb Parkway just outside 285 hasn’t had gas in over a week. Neither has the Chevron across the street. The “terrorist” station on Windy Hill Rd has also been out for days.
The only station that has any gas at all in my neighborhood is the QT on Windy Hill Rd. If they have gas you should plan on at least a 45 minute wait. On Monday the line was backed up over a mile. Marietta police department had four officers on-scene directing traffic and handling security.
THIS IS STUPID !!!! PERDUE IS STILL IN SPAIN ????
HE IS AN A*******CLOWN !!!!
By Tom
October 1, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
No problem finding gas on Thornton Road.
By MM
October 1, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
Can someone explain why we have heard NOTHING from Mayor Shirley Franklin throughout this entire crisis? Not a single word. Where is she and what on earth is she doing?? Does she even KNOW what is going on???
By Bill Moser
October 1, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
go to any QT at 3 AM like I did this morning, no lines, plenty of go juice
By Frank
October 1, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
If Martra was Smarter they would have a more extensive system that would be helpful to those who live in Cobb and Cherokee.
By George W Bush
October 1, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Ha ha suckers, I got plenty of petrol for road humping in my gas guzzling Hummer. Plenty to carry on that occupation in Iraq. Stop whining you babies. You voted for me. Now vote for my buddy John. and thesexy dish Sarah too!
By Chris
October 1, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
I have less than half a tank and I am not at all concerned. I passed a gas station in midtown that had no lines and gas was flowing. I didn’t bother to stop to fill up. I might fill up on my way home, if there is no line and its convenient. If I run out of gas I will simply take the bus, marta, or ride my bicycle.
Instead of stocking up on gas, go buy a bike. It needs no gas and can take you anywhere a car can go, plus many places cars can not go. You can pull children on a bike. You can pull groceries on a bike. Elite riders can pedal 300 miles in a day. Surely you can pedal to work, or at least to a bus/marta stop!
By Pamela McGregor
October 1, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Recall Sonny Perdue!!!! Even Casey Cagle is dumdfounded by Sonny’s slow response. The new poll numbers Obama vs McCain and the senatorial race have suddenly become relevant. No more GOP complacency! It’s shocking that Perdue is now Europe wooing investors; in site of no-good Atlanta public transportation and education in shambles e.g. Clayton county. Where is the GA legislature? Sleeping? Clayton should have commandeered by the state like NY has done to save their public schools. Wake up, GA!!!Sonny and Saxby have thought that we the public are enamoured with them and that WE HATE CHANGE. We need to get up from the bottom of the education heap and start looking better!!!That will attract good jobs and foreign investors…I would welcome a public debate with citizens like me….
By Peter
October 1, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Get used to it! This is a taste of the future. When the oil runs out and the “leadership” decides to address the problem, it will be too late.
In Georgia they continue to plan and pave more highway without any concern for relief of the current congestion.
Public transportation is a solution that has been ignored for decades. (I’ve been able to commute to work by bicycling to MARTA. I planned ahead.)
Call your elected representatives … they are working for you.
By Lacy
October 2, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Well, it does seem as if we are starting to get a little bit more gas in the Douglasville/Carrollton area. I have been running around on a quarter of a tank of gas for almost a week now, putting $10 in at a time; however, today I actually put $20! woohoo..at $3.79!! (at wal-mart in Carrollton!) I think the gas problem will be tolerable soon. The only thing that I am wondering about is…are we headed into another depression???
By Lulu
October 2, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Let’s see. This availability crisis seems to only be a problem for Atlanta (mostly north), Nashville and Charlotte. Why? What do these 3 cities have in common? The pipeline is full but consumer pumps empty. Hmm….
By Tom
October 2, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Lulu, don’t know where you got you info that the pipelines are full but that is bad info. Colonial and Plantation pipelines supply most of Georgia. Hurricane Ike shut down most refinery production in Texas for over a week. Pipelines can’t transport product that is not being refined. We will be back to normal in the Atlanta area within the next week to 10 days.
By Lulu
October 2, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
Tom Got it from 2 stories in the AJC: one said pipelines owned by a subsidiary of Chevron, Colonial and both were at 100%. Second later story said one was at 100% other at 80%. The rest is common sense