For the last week or so, it has been tough living in Atlanta. Since Hurricane Ike, Atlanta has been running out of gas. Supposedly damage to the refinery and distribution of gasoline has been hard hit on our southern coast. Refined gas is then delivered to Atlanta and as far away as Virginia via the colonial pipeline. The refinement of oil to gasoline is impaired and output is probably in the range of only 45 -55% of pre-storm levels. So we have a shortage. That is tough when the town you live in runs on gas. You really need a car. First of all, Atlanta is a town where you must own a car. Our mass transit system has a limited reach and getting around town without a car is next to impossible. Unlike other cities, we have no major bus systems or light rail systems. There are no major medallion taxi fleets - so without wheels you are stranded.
Each day if you go out on the road to go to the office more and more gas stations are closed. Those that are open have lines, some are longer than others. Tempers are flaring and police are showing up to keep persons from losing their cool and breaking up fights. That s something I never thought I would see again since the end of the 1970's. Gasoline in Atlanta and suburbs is still running over $4 a gallon when you can find it. Many service stations will only have high test gas at over $4.49 a gallon, most stations have none. There have been reports of price gouging at almost $8 a gallon, and yet there seem no signs of this abating anytime soon.
The government has shown absolutely no leadership in this crisis. If they did, they would have instituted an ODD / EVEN plan with a 10 Gallon limit. Such a simple plan that has worked elsewhere in times of crisis should have been in place a few days ago to relieve the stress.
Since Atlanta is a car town, the vehicle is a life line to get to work, pick up kids from school, show homes in real estate, get groceries etc. Since the government is not involved - it is up to us to act responsible. We must realize that even supplies in grocery stores may be in short supply if products cannot be delivered to market. This the real thing. So lets see how we can affect change until this temporary crisis is over.
Here are Some Suggestions for Gas Crisis:
- Government needs to get involved - show leadership!
- Institute a 10 Gallon gasoline limit on odd / even days. (License ends in odd or even number) Vanity word plates would count as even numbers.
- Cities and municipalities go to a temporary 4 day - 12 hour a day work week
- Encourage working from home whenever possible.
- Put kids on school buses.
- Eat at home - suspend restaurant runs.
- Suspend after school activities until crisis is over. (band, sports etc)
- Suspend Grass cutting.
- If you own more than one vehicle - park the boat and use the more economical vehicle when possible.
- Encourage car pools
- Consolidate trips and errands - coordinate shopping trips with neighbors.
- Eliminate non essential trips.
- Do not use air condition in car.
- Do not top off gasoline in auto when above ½ a tank. Don't hoard gas!
- Change driving patterns and habits - Accelerate slowly.
- Slow down - speeding wastes gas!
- Do not idle auto - shut off when standing.
- Do not store gasoline - fire hazard
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Jim,
Don't you think it is just a distribution problem, that should become stable again quickly. Chattanooga has not been hit as bad as Atlanta, but we have some stations running out and some gas lines.
My favorite station had itself instituted a 10 gallon limit.
I think it will be a short lived problem, hope so.
Richard
Richard Smith Mortgages Home Loans FHA TN GA AL (American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc)They are saying 2 weeks now. The problem supposedly has been fixed, but I think most persons do not trust the information any longer. I personally think it is a distribution and infrastructure problem that has been compounded by authority figures not placing the needs of the public first. A failure of the government!
I am very surprised we haven't had more cars stranded on the interstate and streets from having run out of gasoline. Great idea to implement 10 gallon per day , odd/even system. Even with this crisis I still don't see any change in drivers behavior on the interstate- not car pooling, speeding, etc. LOL as I got a locking gas cap after Katrina, but understand nowadays the thieves just go under the car and cut the fuel line at the tank! Funny how some "civilized" Americans turn to self centered idiots so quickly while waiting in line to buy gasoline.
Just like the fools in Galveston riding out the hurricane, Americans will only start conserving gas when they don't have a choice (like now when it is not available) or when it is really expensive like $10/gallon. In Europe gas is expensive and public transportation is excellent... we will get that way some day!
In 10 years electric cars will be feasible and the grid is much more dependable than gasoline supplies.
Phil You bring up an interesting point. f they are not stranding, they are hoarding and creating the problem. An temporary odd even plate systems would fix this total problem in less than 4 days.
Jim,
Thanks for the post.your comments remind me of the lack of preparedness on the part of all levels of government. Which level do see as the culprit in failing to address the needs of those in Atlanta?
My area MD/DC/VA is reliant on the automobile too. With the exception of urban area where folks live and work closeby with public transportation, the vehicle is a must.
In fact, I live about $3.60 one way by vehicle and $65.00 by taxi away from the nearest town.
Not a lot of choice.
Jim-Hard to believe, but it should act as a warning for the rest of us.
Joe
I know its absolutely crazy what's going on here with the gas. If everyone just practiced at least ONE of your recommendations, we'd all be in a better spot....
William Collins, Broker Associate (ERA Queen City Realty) The govenor is not taking it seriously, and is down playing the threat. I am sure many persons will remember him at the polls.
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate Years ago I lived in New York City. Many persons never owned a car, they did not need to.
Joseph D. Federico, Westwood, MA Real Estate (RE/MAX Landmark) It is sad but true that it could happen anywhere.
Atlanta Real Estate, Altanta Homes Winter Baserva, Atlanta Foreclosures (The Good Broker) I'd hare to be running a small business these days or a shop in Helen Georgia. People do not want to get back on line to get gas. I am sure many that are day trip destinations are hurting.
We have had the same issues in Middle Tennesee Jim. If it is convenient, then walk or ride a bike also. The conveniences we all take for granted by using a car are not necessarily life ending. I think we are all looking at our lives a little differently and relying more on community (or we should be) is becoming a priority.
Bo
I was thinking about this again as I looked at the dashboard.
Seems to me that Atlanta has been hit very hard this year. First there is a reduced water supply and then a reduced gasoline supply.
Not encouraging for folks offered jobs there, if they know the facts.
Jim - Albuquerque is dependent on cars too - we're just really spread out and the buslines don't service all areas. More and more people are using our extensive bike routes to commute and it's the cool thing to show up for work with a bike helmet and "Lance pants." Jim, you're going to be showing properties on a scooter! Maybe you could organize horse drawn carriage agent tours! Man, you guys sure are getting hammered from all directions. I feel for you brother. Hang in there Jim.
Bo Hussung/ Title services in all 50 states (Cogent Closing Associates) Bo, most places here in the suburbs you really cannot even walk to shopping. A car is needed. With no shoulders on many side roads, you are setting yourself up to be road kill.
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate Lenn I totally agree, you are so right! The projection in Atlanta for this year to compound all of this is job losses. The major businesses here in Atlanta until now would be construction and development. Since that has died there is nothing.
It would also want to make you stop and think if you were a corportation and were considering relocating your company to Atlanta. It doesn't make sense. No water, extremely heavy traffic, no real mass transit system, and no water. Now you can't even get around town because there is no gas!
What we have witnessed here in Atlanta this summer with high gas prices is that loads of persons stayed home. The result? Retail sales slumped, and restaurants are going out of business all over town.
Alyce Martin (Keller Williams Realty) Atlanta is in deep doo!
Jim - the odd even system might help some, I lived through it in the 70's. It wasn't good for people that had to travel extensively with their job (there were times where I had to fill up twice a day if I had service calls that were a couple hundred miles away). And, I think you mean a 10 hour day, not 12. I could support an odd even plan but not a 10 gallon limit.
Unfortunately, there are really only a few cities that have well designed and integrated mass transit: Boston, New York, San Francisco. L.A. used to, at one time, have a great bus service, but I have no idea now.
Jim,
We always have the gas rush during our hurricane season but that's ridiculous and I can't believe there really is a shortage...I can and even with still high prices.
Mike Saunders (Keller Williams Realty - Greater Athens) I guess the 12 hour day comes from working real estate too long! LOL. Atlanta area needs to plan for the future.
Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates) I hope there is nothing more going in that we do not know about. It is painful living without gas here. You cannot do anything.
UPDATE: I Just returned home from a "Fill the tank expedition" and every gas station around is out of gas. SUNDAY 9:20 PM 9/28/2008
No gasoine for sale on craiglist : )
How about rent a diesel car or truck as there is plenty of diesel in Atlanta!
Pull over on the interstate and call for a HERO truck (get free gallon of gas)!
If you get desperate I can direct you to what will work from the paint department at Home Depot : )
Lets have some fun, everyone call Dominos and tell them we need pizzas this evening : )
Phil I am starting to feel like I am under house arrest!
I think once the refinerys get going at full strenght they should be able to catch up.
John Walters (Specialized Real Estate) I don't know how anyone could get any work done, show homes or get to or from work this last week or so.
I like your list with the exception of the eat at home....
two reasons...#1 I really hate to cook... wanted my house built with no kitchen, but thought that might hurt the resale value.
#2- Restaurant business- it's what my baby brother does for a living and my daughter at UGA is a waitress.... PLEASE people go out to eat... just car pool with the neighbors to do it.
Tammy Lankford/Broker (Lane Realty) LOL! I hate cooking also. It looks like there is a little improvement today, but is is still sporadic.