Gas Crunch Will Last Days

kristen November 6, 2012 at 01:05 pm

I agree!! I would love to see all the names of the places who have gouged consumers so I can boycott them FOREVER in the future!! They should be listed in the papers, online, everywhere so people will know this is how they treated victims in a storm situation. It's sad to say but some of these places are "mom and pop" stores by me--and it's disgusting. I won't shop at these places again--why would I support them?

Lorraine DeVita November 6, 2012 at 01:05 pm

For many of us Waiting on line for gas is an INCONVENIENCE, nothing more ..
FOR MANY OTHERS NO electric, NO Heat or NO HOUSE is a hell of a lot worse. I have to laugh people complian about waiting on line then when they DO fill up they go driving around, to get nauls done, hair done, go to the mall, no one car pools, no one CONSERVES what they have and then when their daily routine is interupted and they have to wait on line for GAS they blame EVERYONE else and complain. Try GIVING instead of complaining and if your going to the store trying calling a neighbor with NO heat no electrict and see if they need a ride!

Tom Garrett November 6, 2012 at 02:02 pm

The problem was started first by people running down inventories at gas stations prior to the storm as instructed. Second and obviously Sandy and its impact on electric and critical infrastructure to deliver gas as many were compromised, Harbor ports, terminals, tankers ect. Gas like everything else works on a Just in Time delivery model and if any part of the JIT system is disrupted this is what happens.
The situation has been exacerbated by the Media’s constant coverage of shortages and lines fueling the Panic and the Governors failure to order odd/even rationing. Hording in time of crises is a normal behavior especially now if you still relying on generators. There is also massive procedures, inspections and repairs needed to get all this infrastructure back on line and while many are necessary some are not, as is the following: http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=339669&position=1&news_type=news However, If you have a CAR to sit in to wait a few hours in line or a HOME to go back to COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, as so many DO NOT!!!!!! Lastly when all settles down take the time to review the lessons learned and be prepared the next time. It should be apparent now for anyone to see as Sophisticated and Advanced we think we are our System is, in fact it is VERY FRAGIL and no match for Mother Nature.... Self Reliance, Preparation and Neighbors are your strength in times like these. Good Luck to All.

md November 6, 2012 at 03:43 pm

The problem you are talking about is the weakening of the dollar, It is not gouging when it costs $3.00 to get it to market and gets $.50 in tax added on to it, I call that coming close to braking even. If we stop manipulating the intrest rates, we could slow the inflation that we feel at the pump and the grocery. Inflation on gas and groceries has been around 8-10% where on other goods its been around 2-3%. Since the gov't only publicly talks about numbers that make them look good, they ignore the other number that we feel. About 75% of the oil we use comes from the US, Mexico and Canada, mostly from oil shale which has made oil a little more expensive to extract, but also gives us cheap natural gas. Only about 8-10% comes from the Middle East.
sources: http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/research/crude-oil/where-the-us-gets-its-oil-from/ http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=10&t=10 http://www.exxonmobilperspectives.com/2012/01/27/what-am-i-paying-for-in-the-price-of-a-gallon-of-gasoline/

K. November 6, 2012 at 03:47 pm

Politricks:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said fuel shortages will continue into next week, but said more supply is flowing and expects the gas crunch to abate by the weekend. “There are continuing issues with the fuel delivery and distribution system,” Cuomo said at a Sunday press breifing, adding, “We do believe it is a short term problem.”

Vito November 6, 2012 at 03:53 pm

It is true that people are being irresponsible, if not greedy with gas right now. Even people with generators and no electric are behaving poorly. Unless one is running medical equipment in their home, there is no reason people should be running their generators 24/7. A few hours in AM to get some heat and run fridge, and a few hours at night for same is all people need. Instead they are using their generators to power big TV's, video games, outdoor lights they run when under regular power and a host of other non-essential uses. I fear people don't know how, or simply elect not to behave in a way that is respectful of the situation and their neighbors who may be truly in need.

Chris K November 6, 2012 at 04:16 pm

The governor should order all gas stations to close 24-48 hours and allow for resupply. This will allow for several tankers to go to each gas station and fully supply them This makes sense because deliveries here and there are not resolving the supply problem. Its like running around trying to put out small fires when everything is ablaze.

kristen November 6, 2012 at 04:16 pm

I have to agree...and this mimics what I have been saying a few times on this post. Do people not know how to CONSERVE???? i would hate to see what would happen to these selfish individuals if they suddenly were stuck in a time warp and ended up in the 1800's. They would probably just curl up in a ball and die. There is no need to be riding around, hanging out at the mall, etc in a time of crisis. Yes, maybe you do have your electric on and everything is fine except for the lack of gas. That is still a crisis. Some people have nothing left and would kill to have a car and wait on long lines for gas!! I was watching the news last night and saw some man who is paralyzed and needs electric for medical equipment (ventilator, etc) and he was STILL without power!! Now there is a person who should be worried...not some spoiled adult looking to plug in their TV so they can watch football and get back on the internet!!

kristen November 6, 2012 at 04:18 pm

You would still see those same people lining up and then just staying in their cars on line, waiting for the station to open up. Although then you would read about a few people dying from the cold while waiting in their cars!! If people would just calm down and not panic, it would settle down. This is turning into mass hysteria and the media does not need to keep showing long lines of cars waiting for gas and interviewing these morons who have been waiting on lines for 10+ hours......

Chris K November 6, 2012 at 04:37 pm

It's moved beyond panic into a huge supply problem.

ann m November 6, 2012 at 07:34 pm

I don't want free gas, I want gas. why not bring in generators for the gas stations without electric ????

ann m November 6, 2012 at 07:36 pm

Schumer hasn't done anything about the gas or lack of, forget the lines and the prices. He doesn't get a thank you from me yet

RAJ November 6, 2012 at 11:08 pm

BUSTER THATS INSANE MAN 4.59 PRICE IS FOR PREMIUM.I GOT REGULAR FOR 3.99 ON SAME DAY AT SAME STATION

driver November 7, 2012 at 01:35 am

if Hess is so good, why are their tankers not lined up and all Hess stations open? Remember these are corporate owned, not local, and they own the refinery and distribution system. Why does Hess not have emergecny generators on standby to bring to Long Island. If you have 19 stations in Smithtown and have blown out the little guys, Hess has a responsibility to the public and so far, I am not impressed.

driver November 7, 2012 at 01:37 am

just got back from Gas Haven in Commack. Only waited 45 min and they had an army ready to pump gas when the tanker pulled in at 7 pm. The guys were great! Polite and very efficient. They even had a special line for gas cans that was not very long. How do they alwasy seem to have gas when the others don't?

GB November 7, 2012 at 01:58 am

People are running to gas stations to hoard gas even though they dont need it. You will never be able to keep the tanks full when people come from miles around to line up for gas they dont need. Its the news media hyping the situation. If the news announces a possible milk shortage tomorrow you will see the same phenomenon on store shelves.

East End Women's Network November 7, 2012 at 02:10 am

NO LINE at the gas station in Peconic on Route 48 and YES they have gas as of now 9:10 pm,

Gold Rush November 7, 2012 at 02:10 pm

I went to Arby's [495 S.R. & Utopia pkwy, sWEST corner, if you're a fan] tonight about 9:45pm Tuesday. When I left, in the truck, I noticed the Mobil station next door, 1 block east, was dispensing gas at $4.15 a gal, I parked the truck [RIGHT ON THE STATION LOT LIKE I WAS GETTING MILK] ;-) and took my 4.6 gallons combined, 3 cans, and got on the line, 20 or so, deep. As I waited on my chair, :-) I watched, and what really set me off was this [appearing to be] family of fellow Americans, speaking Chinese [descriptive from my simple observation, no commentary intended]. They seemingly had the whole family show up and stand every 4-5 apart and fill & dump their 2) brand new, $35 each (see below), 5.5gal cans to their car(s), bring the empty cans to the next relative, just about to reach the front of the line, then they themselves, got on the back of the line, over and over, till when ever they wanted to stop, faster than the rest of us, who waited in line fair and square, they were cheating all the others & gas hogging. The cans were "cutting the line". BRILLIANT BUT I.M.O., UN-FAIR. They were acting as if they were more important than the rest of us, pissed me off. end pt 1 of 4

Gold Rush November 7, 2012 at 02:11 pm

I spoke out, and made them visibly embarrassed, but they kept doing it.
A 20-30 people line avg 2 cans each, served by 2 pumps, back to back, took about an hr, bring a chair! The cars waited way longer, and still had the $40 limit. There was so much wasted time, on the can line, people tried to use their credit cards [cash only too] and fail, even with a sign on the pump, then all these folks (who had never owned a gas can before) had to figure out how to open it, then how to operate the pump, first time for many, and fill it neatly, for the first time, then most would open 1 can, fill it, close it, open the next, fill it, and close, over and over. Time was ticking, everyone was cold! Open all cans, pay cash, fill all cans, call the next person, get out of the way, then close 'em, is what I did. end 2 of 4

Gold Rush November 7, 2012 at 02:12 pm

Don't bother bringing non-approved gas cans, people brought large wesson oil cans [with oil in them too, might clog injectors, carbs, bad idea, IMO] and milk bottles, they are not designed for gas, they are "food grade" containers, gas will "melt" that plastic, and plastic contaminated gas could cost big $$ for fuel injector/carb problems (it starts as soon as the gas touches it, [so it must be emptied, IMO, in 15 mins or less]). But MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY WON'T HOLD THE PRESSURE THAT GAS GENERATES ON THE GAS "CAN", THEY CAN BURST [either by pressure from carrying, or shaking/rolling around your car maybe, or plain dropping them] AND GOD FORBID, IGNITE, ENDANGERING [YOU AND] US ALL, NEAREST THE PUMP! NOT TO MENTION, BREAKING A FEW LAWS.
end 3 of 4

Gold Rush November 7, 2012 at 02:12 pm

Watch out. People are not thinking. They are stressed, DESPERATE. There were 2 loud shouting matches, and at one point, someone did something wrong, and all the cars on that line, blasted a chorus of horns for 20 seconds.
I HAD to tell the station rep. to come out and tell the people to stop filling "Bad" cans, and he got pissed at me, but a few minutes later, he did what was right. I EVEN TOLD HIM ABOUT A LADY SELLING 5 GAL GAS CANS FOR $35 (ALMOST 100% MARKUP) RIGHT ON THE STATION PROPERTY! I really intensely dislike folks who do this to others in a time like this. FOR WHAT ITS WORTH, I HOPE THIS RANT MAY HELP YOU, BEFOREHAND. Hope this note finds you all safe. And finally with power????? Best Wishes in this upsetting time.

kristen November 7, 2012 at 02:17 pm

it is turning into a supply problem b/c of the people who are panicking!!! They are hoarding and not letting the rest of the population get just one tank of gas. If you have 3 or 4 cars in your family, do you NEED to fill all of them up?? Ever hear of carpooling?? Unless these people are going to work or school, where else do you really need to go? CONSERVE!! Stop acting like the world just revolves around you...this is just like after 9/11 and people were hoarding Cipro b/c they were afraid of Anthrax. I worked in a drs office and the EMPLOYEES were hoarding it!! It was disgusting...and they did it for what?? Just to have it expire in their medicine cabinet 1 year later??? No need....people should start acting like humans and not animals...this problem with the gas would be solved a lot quicker!!

kristen November 7, 2012 at 02:22 pm

Gold Rush, if I was on that line waiting and saw this, I would have gone crazy. Why aren't the gas station reps out there?? Why are people filling up whatever they can find with gas??? This is insane...and dangerous. It is pretty sad what you can witness out there...these people are trying to get gas to fill their cars and generators, meanwhile, people are living without a car b/c it was washed away, in a house w/ no power, probably no first floor b/c of flooding and no electric. They are just trying to survive and these spoiled idiots are acting like they will die if they don't have enough gas in their car to drive around and do nothing....

monkey lewis November 8, 2012 at 02:33 am

Lets all move into FEMA camps!

monkey lewis November 8, 2012 at 02:38 am

Obama gonna save Y,all,the cheese line gonna be longer than the gas line

Port Washington Twin Pines Co-op & Thrift Shop November 8, 2012 at 07:48 pm

http://hessexpress.com/StoreDeal/Fuel_Info_Hurricane_Sandy/9874 ...
Hess Station at 86 Glen Cove Ave. has > 8000 Regular gallons of gas: and > 500 premium galllons in inventiory as of 2012-11-08 12:46:37

jeff November 9, 2012 at 02:43 am

MMIGDOL, Hess is not the only one not gouging on jericho tpk. Why are you lying? that's very irresponsible in a time when the public needs to help each other out in this crazy time. gas heaven has been the same price as hess through all this and has had gas a lot more frequently. i don't know what you are carrying on about but please try and give correct information to all of us. that's just not right and very annoying. frankly that is as irresponsible as the gouging itself. we are all talking and seeking info on gas prices/availability/ lines and you are on some bizarre rant over building some hess station. lets please stick to the topic so we can help one another. in all honesty hess has been disappointing through all this. i expected them to have gas a lot more than they have had. maybe they have too many and they can't supply all of them or something. so if you want to rant about building a new hess that i dont even know what you are talking about, lets be honest and say the truth to the information seekers on here. they haven't been that reliable, and my buddy went to a self serve hess and said line takes to long because of the self service. im just trying to say the truth and help out the people in my community.

Gold Rush November 23, 2012 at 11:07 am

Just a technical note for future use. I submit that 2/3rds of the capacity of electric power, a generator can make, is at or near its "idle" rpm's [electric power is measured in AC WATTS (@117v)] add the watts of all your desired devices together adding 20 % for "wiggle room". All that equals your individual household "LOAD wattage". Ex. tv1=200watts, say on paper 240, then cable box1=10 watts, on paper 12, 4 X 14 watt CFO bulbs=56+12= 68watts on paper, [each CFO spiral glass bulbs yielding lumen light = 60 watts incandescent]. add a 1500 watt "space heater" or a "300" watt oil burner, on this and a "500" watt fridge, just do the math. [hot water heaters are very high demand so be careful, know the numbers]
My generator is 5250 watts capacity. never run your "load" devices, [with my 20% fudge added], to a wattage totaled above the standard rating! Even if the peak rating says its higher, peak = a new device turning on and for a milli second drawing the "peak" wattage, during turn on. The wattage of all load [in running state] must be below rated gen output! Note: Gens must be out of doors, cover loosely and insure "circulation air" to cool entire device, not in a garage with a fan! pg 1 of 2

Gold Rush November 23, 2012 at 11:07 am

CO1 is a WMD it will take everyone in a house so be SMART. READ DIRECTIONS ON THIS DEVICE, IT CAN KILL LIKE NO OTHER!!!! Note: On heat build up and fire possibility due to a wide variety of gauge in your extension cord use. Each cord has a wattage rating, if YOU exceed it, it gets nasty quick, heat builds and fire usually follows, so feel sockets every 1/2 hr and DO THE MATH! [NO WIRES UNDER CARPETS THROW RUGS, RUGS] Check your extensions now and buy 12 gauge extension cords [Walmart best $$] to your biggest draw devices, use CFO's to round out the wattage on the "WIRE", each wire is specified to SAFELY DELIVER!
Better yet have an electrician WIRE IN A SAFE WAY TO BOX or make a 220 volt high current thick gauge "drop cord" from the box inside the house to outside, by the gen, and with a male to male "drop cord", use the gen to power your home wiring (OF COURSE TURN OFF THE MAIN TO THE COMMERCIAL STREET POWER BEFORE GOING LIVE ON THE GENERATOR HOOKUP). Alot of people did not do this and workers were hurt! When the load goes up, the rpms self adjust. Not much more gas is used for that, [the extra watts to be produced]is small, so if you are smart, [check with manufacturer while the power is on, NOW, NOT DURING THE NEXT STORM], using 2/3 load wattage [in my case 3465 watts, is at/near idle rpm, so not using YOUR DEVICES to this number 3465 [insert your number here] In My Opinion is actually wasting gas because the engine is already running at, "at least" idle. pg 2 of 3

Gold Rush November 23, 2012 at 11:08 am

Schedule run time efficiently, 4 hrs on/off, till sleep [off a max 8hrs] and charge your devices accordingly. This will stretch your gas.
Check the oil smell [burnt is bad], clarity [change if "off clear"], slipperyness, and mostly oil level, in the gen frequently. Break in a new generator w/reg oil [12 hrs, check manual] then, switch to synthetic, [call manufacturer to dbl check] and it should make the engine last forever, and start [and pull] easier. Switching to synthetic [5w/30], at any time, with a gen [or lawnmower] engine is good [unless its already smoking/leaking/bad compression]. Add StaBil to gas in cans to stretch that investment too, if storing. Buy only approved gas cans, there is a reason, not to use Mazola jugs, 1 gal milk jugs, to hold gasoline, look it up. Remember with a generator, you can get a dose of normal, some morale boost, its OK to do so. No need to be a martyr, just do the math. Just be Smart. Push the gov't, LIPA to trim/remove dead/damaged trees on a priority basis, etc., so power to "society", can serve society, not LIPA or the gov't. No power=desperation=breakdown of society. The End