Notice that this is a corrected verstion, it had to be fixed because it originally mentioned that there might be "gas shortages".

Hail to the spin machine!!!

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/991222/be0.html

Wednesday December 22, 8:46 pm Eastern Time CORRECTED - US drivers urged not to fill tanks In WASHINGTON story headlined ``US drivers urged not to fill gasoline tanks for Y2K'', please delete reference to possible disruptions in supply from first pragraph.

A corrected version follows.

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson told motorists on Wednesday there is no need to top off their gasoline tanks due to fears about Y2K computer problems, saying supplies are abundant and service station pumps should operate normally on Jan. 1.

``Gasoline is plentiful and the industry is confident that its pumps will work throughout the (Jan. 1) rollover,'' Richardson said. ``There's no need to top off your tank right before the year ends.''

Richardson will discuss the Y2K readiness of service stations at a local gasoline dealer near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

He will be joined by the president of the American Automobile Association. Both will stress that drivers should only fill their vehicle gasoline tanks halfway.

``A responsible approach to refueling by all motorists can be the difference between adequate gas supplies at reasonable prices and unnecessary lines at gas stations and needless price hikes,'' said AAA president Robert Darbelnet.

``Except as part of any normal long-distance travel preparations, we are urging our 42 million (AAA) members, and the general public, not to top off their fuel tanks as we approach the new year,'' Darbelnet said.

There is normally a 30-day supply of gasoline available, but oil firms are planning an extra seven-day supply of fuel shipments to handle expected higher demand, according to the American Petroleum Institute.

As long as there is electricity consumers should not have trouble pumping gasoline, which is not dependent on a computer chip. However, some Y2K computer problems could make it difficult for drivers to pay for their fuel purchases at pumps with credit cards.

If that happens, stations operators can switch to manual credit card imprinters or accept cash.

(Washington Energy Desk, 202-898-8320)

-- Helium (Heliumavid@yahoo.com), December 23, 1999

Answers

That's funny because the last time I checked the American Red Cross home page for Y2K they cautioned that you "should" fill up prior to. Hmmm. One hand not knowing what the other is lying about ?

Here's the checklist from Red Cross (hope formatting is OK)-

Checklist ___ Check with manufacturers of any essential computer-controlled electronic equipment in your home to see if that equipment may be affected. This includes fire and security alarm systems, programmable thermostats, appliances, consumer electronics, garage door openers, electronic locks, and any other electronic equipment in which an "embedded chip" may control its operation. ___ Stock disaster supplies to last several days to a week for yourself and those who live with you. This includes having nonperishable foods, stored water, and an ample supply of prescription and nonprescription medications that you regularly use. See Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit for suggestions. ___ As you would in preparation for a storm of any kind, have some extra cash or traveler's checks on hand in case electronic transactions involving ATM cards, credit cards, and the like cannot be processed. Plan to keep cash or traveler's checks in a safe place, and withdraw money from your bank in small amounts well in advance of 12/31/99.

___ As you would in preparation for a winter storm, keep your automobile gas tank above half full. ___ In case the power fails, plan to use alternative cooking devices in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Don't use open flames or charcoal grills indoors. ___ Have extra blankets, coats, hats, and gloves to keep warm. Please do not plan to use gas-fueled appliances, like an oven, as an alternative heating source. The same goes for wood-burning or liquid-fueled heating devices that are not designed to be used in a residential structure. Camp stoves and heaters should only be used out of doors in a well-ventilated area. If you do purchase an alternative heating device, make sure it is approved for use indoors and is listed with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). ___ Have plenty of flashlights and extra batteries on hand. Don't use candles for emergency lighting. ___ Examine your smoke alarms now. If you have smoke alarms that are hard-wired into your home's electrical system (most newer ones are), check to see if they have battery back-ups. Every fall, replace all batteries in all smoke alarms as a general fire safety precaution. ___ Be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage or if for any other reason local officials request or require that you leave your home. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for information about where shelters will be available. ___ If you plan to use a portable generator, connect what you want to power directly to the generator; do not connect the generator to your home's electrical system. Also, be sure to keep a generator in a well-ventilated area_either outside or in a garage, keeping the door open. Don't put a generator in your basement or anywhere inside your home. ___ Check with the emergency services providers in your community to see if there is more information available about how your community is preparing for any potential problems. Be an advocate and support efforts by your local police, fire, and emergency management officials to ensure that their systems will be able to operate at all times.

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 23, 1999.

SHOOT ! I figured it would be screwed up. Sorry folks. Not pleasant to the eyes but effective.

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 23, 1999.

You'll be easier to control and less apt to bug out with less than a full tank of fuel. Just sit tight and let us handle the situ

-- shell answer man (running@vapors.com), December 23, 1999.

Paw: "Martha, look here, they say that we have plenty of gas but it ain't responsible - whatever that be meanin' - to tank up the Bronco. That be makin' any sense to you?

Martha: "Paw, ain't nothin' they say makin' sense to me no more."

-- paul leblanc (bronyaur@gis.net), December 23, 1999.

``Gasoline is plentiful and the industry is confident that its pumps will work throughout the (Jan. 1) rollover,'' Richardson said. ``There's no need to top off your tank right before the year ends.''

No mention about after the rollover...

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@Aol.com), December 23, 1999.

INPUT: Government says don't fill up with fuel. PROCESSING: Say what? OUTPUT: Fill up every tank, jerry can, coffee can, barrel, and vehicle you can as fast as you can.

AUTHOR: Kook

-- Y2Kook (Y2Kook@usa.net), December 23, 1999.

Yea, think I'll add another 100 gallons to the stash.

-- none (none@none.com), December 23, 1999.

There was an easy fix to this. People could have been encouraged to build up the volume in their tanks to mostly full and then to keep it near that level. That way it would have been possible for everyone to top off at the last minute. The problem is we are starting from an average of no more than half full. Could have been different, but of course that would have woken everyone up.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), December 23, 1999.

New correction: food will also be plentiful, but only eat half of a dinner on December 31st. You should only sleep 4 hours as well.

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), December 23, 1999.

When Gov says "Yes," No is the actual answer. When they say "Light," the actual answer. One must learn Gov language. We "Promise," hold on tight, no way. "99.9percent," actually 60 to 75 percent. "One half tank," fill every available fuel contain and then some. We are for you, hold onto the northside while you are hightailing it south brother, they are after you. Trust what they say just about as far as the chance of me winning the lottery.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), December 23, 1999.

I get a kick out of the "we're gonna have an extra 7 days of gasoline on hand" oil industry comment. Refiners have been running full throttle and gasoline stocks continue to slip on the high demand so I don't know where the extra 63 million barrels 9 mil bls/day X 7 days) of gasoline is gonna come from. Certainly not Venezuela. API weely stats are showing nationwide gasoline primary stocks at 193 million. We've hovered below the 200 mil thats normally considered min operating level all Fall.

I will say this. Oil companies are trying. The gasoline yield is up to 57.1% of refining runs, which is close to record high levels. There's 15 to 20% of the cuts off the crude distillation column that can either go into gasoline or distillate production. Recent warm weather has allowed them to direct these streams into gasoline basestocks.

It also looks like the cold weather warning for the end of this year isn't gonna be too accurate. Temps look predominately near normal, so refiners will continue to bang out the gasoline. Thanks Mother Nature!

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), December 23, 1999.