I was wondering if any other part of the country was feeling the oil shortage?

-- David Whitelaw (dande53484@aol.com), January 23, 2000

Answers

I live on the East coast and we don't have a shortage yet, prices have went up but not as high as they have been in the past.

-- still go oil and gas (no@shortage.com), January 23, 2000.

Feeling a shortage? Far from it. Diesel prices are the lowest I've seen in 8-`10 mos: @$1.22/gal locally; while (reg) gasoline is $129. Oregon, northwest of Portland. There is not even a whisper of low product, delivery delays, etc. This evening's posts on gas-stations unable to fill tanks sound surreal to me, everything is quite normal -- or APPARENTLY quirte normal. If I hadn't been following the posts on refinery shutdowns and slowdowns I would be completely disregarding the "spot shortages" stories. Not bothering to fill empty gas cans either, at this rate.

>"<

-- Squirrel Hunter (nuts@upin.atree), January 23, 2000.

I live north of Spokane and we have no shortage as of yet but i will be keeping my eye on things. I notice the media isn't too concerned but that is nothing new for them.

-- David Whitelaw (dande53484@aol.com), January 23, 2000.

Perry County, In., plus gas has gone to $1.59.9 from $129.9 in about 9 days. It is staying steady and Evansville, In., 45 mi. W., is inching up that way. There doesn't seem to be a stablizing of prices yet. Will monitor and report as things change.

-- Willyarty (afmmics@psci.net), January 23, 2000.

No change here in the desert southwest. High price for 92 octane has been around $1.41 at most stations. Costco selling for 1.35. These prices haven't changed for probably 10 weeks now.

-- Aunt Bee (SheriffAndy@Mayberry.com), January 23, 2000.

Recognize that there are TWO distro systems in the US, and they are divided at the Continental Divided.

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 23, 2000.

Divide.

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 23, 2000.

Chuck, Night Driver:

Does Alaska fall into either category (sounds like Art Bell---"east of the Rockies, you're on the air")?

-- Nelson Isada (isada@alaska.net), January 23, 2000.

Diesel has gone up from $1.44.9 to $1.47.9 in the last few days....N. Cal/S. Or.

-- Netghost (ng@no.yr), January 23, 2000.

Colorado- $1.29 per gallon. More than I like to spend, I have a commute. Snikpoh

-- snikpoh (snikpoh@ecentral.com), January 23, 2000.

Far northern CA mountains: still $1.49 for regular. Been around that for most of the year after the refineries that went down last year were supposedly "repaired." (Did go down slightly during the holidays and is now back up.) Doesn't seem to be a shortage here and no lines at any of the three gas stations in our valley.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), January 23, 2000.

Gasoline prices here in Maine have not yet moved up, still at $1.35/gallon for regular unleaded. However, deisel fuel and heating oil have gone ballistic. Heating oil was at $1.13 last Monday, by Friday it was $1.44, and by Saturday it was $1.79. Deisel was at $1.39 on Monday, by Saturday it was $1.89. Dealers report they are having a very difficult time obtaining the product. The Northeastern USA is feeling the shortage. Imho, eventually the rest of the country will be feeling it as well.

-- country folk (country folk@Maine.Maine), January 23, 2000.

I think it's just New Jersey, sheesh,..figures.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), January 23, 2000.

I recall a post from a couple days ago that the differential in price of diesel was diverting diesel shipments from west to east. I think what Squirrel Hunter said above shows why that is happening.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), January 23, 2000.

Hi all ... Cheapest price for regular two days ago was 149.9 and generally has been rising about $.04 a week since rollover. Expect it will hit $1.60 before the end of the month , here in Fairfield County , CT , where we have the highest state taxes on gasoline . BTW , did you know we have over 200,000 MILLION laws, rules and regs in the U.S. that grow by about 10,000 per day ?

What happens when you violate one of these laws( "ignorance of the law is no excuse" !) ? You either pay the fine or go to jail . Who gets the money when you pay the fine ? The people who made the laws , OF COURSE ! Now ask yourself ; does that give the politicians MORE or less power ? We are beyond the breaking point of local, state and federal laws , with no end in sight , except that it takes years sometimes to get cases to court . HOW the lawyers must love their jobs . Eagle ... circling .... watching ... waiting !

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@freewwweb.com), January 23, 2000.

I recall reading that Venezuelan oil goes to the East coast - so any interruptions there would hit the East first. However, West coast prices will likely go up when price disruptions spread.

I'm still seeing a differential in gasoline prices in and around Sacramento - $1.27 for ARCO, up to $1.42 for Exxon, Shell, Chevron, other biggies. Prices for self-serve.

-- Margaret J (janssm@aol.com), January 23, 2000.

Thanks for all the info. Please keep it comming.

-- David Whitelaw (dande53484@aol.com), January 23, 2000.

Here's an excellent article from CnnFn about the oil situation. They speak of the rising price of oil and the fact that retailers here haven't yet begun passing the added cost of shipped goods onto the customers. Hold onto your socks. You may be really glad you stocked your pantry ahead of time.

CNN's Financial News

-- beej (beej@ppbbs.com), January 23, 2000.

Diesel at $1.739 last night at Mobil station in southern NH

Brian

-- Brian (btanguay@earthlink.net), January 24, 2000.