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Rabun lines up at the pumps
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| Bob Bowen of Clayton fills up several plastic gasoline containers at On the Run in Rabun Gap. Bowen stocked up on gasoline to avoid paying exorbitant prices. |
By Matt Henderson Staff Writer
Lines formed Friday afternoon at gas pumps all across Georgia, and the scene reminded some travelers of a familiar scene 35 years ago.
"I remember we bought a brand new car in 1973, and then gasoline prices doubled," said Tony Maddox of Savannah. "Nothing has changed since then, and now we are in the same boat."
Prices for a gallon of gasoline rose to a statewide average above $4 over the weekend. Pam Fossier, co-manager at RaceTrac in Clayton, said prices at her station increased 10 cents Friday afternoon.
"They have closed the refineries in Houston, and gas is unavailable," she said. She added that she had not received an estimate on how much time it would take to get refineries operational again in Texas.
Many of the people who lined the pumps Friday afternoon had their own theories about the surge in gas prices.
"It's price gouging," said David Mize of Clayton. "They are using this storm as an excuse, but they are gouging."
"They are all sitting in their big offices laughing at us," Terrell Garrett of Tiger said about oil company executives. "We live in a free market economy, and this is just one of the consequences."
Others said the price spike was a sign that the United States needed to work to find an alternative energy source or another place to drill for oil.
"This is a major sign that offshore drilling is not going to make things any better," said Terry Blackstock of Tiger as he watched his total climb at RaceTrac.
"We've got oil we can drill to and get to," Maddox said. "We just need some people in congress to do what they need to do."
Diane Pate of Clayton said she hoped the outcome of the presidential election in November would help remedy the situation.
"We need to listen to Sarah Palin and open up those oil fields," she said.
Bob Bowen of Clayton filled up several plastic containers Friday at On the Run in Rabun Gap in anticipation of gasoline prices rising further over the weekend.
"I have to go on a trip to Mississippi this weekend, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fill up," he said. "Whether I do it today or tomorrow, I am going to buy it because I have to make the trip, and it will be cheaper if I just buy it all today."
Kimberly Allen, assistant manager at Circle M Food Shop in Clayton, said prices jumped from $3.59 to $3.99 on Friday.
"Prices went up again (Sunday) to $4.09 a gallon," she said Monday. She received an e-mail from Clipper Petroleum, the station's fuel provider, indicating it could take seven days for the refineries to reopen.
"I remember we bought a brand new car in 1973, and then gasoline prices doubled," said Tony Maddox of Savannah. "Nothing has changed since then, and now we are in the same boat."
Prices for a gallon of gasoline rose to a statewide average above $4 over the weekend. Pam Fossier, co-manager at RaceTrac in Clayton, said prices at her station increased 10 cents Friday afternoon.
"They have closed the refineries in Houston, and gas is unavailable," she said. She added that she had not received an estimate on how much time it would take to get refineries operational again in Texas.
Many of the people who lined the pumps Friday afternoon had their own theories about the surge in gas prices.
"It's price gouging," said David Mize of Clayton. "They are using this storm as an excuse, but they are gouging."
"They are all sitting in their big offices laughing at us," Terrell Garrett of Tiger said about oil company executives. "We live in a free market economy, and this is just one of the consequences."
Others said the price spike was a sign that the United States needed to work to find an alternative energy source or another place to drill for oil.
"This is a major sign that offshore drilling is not going to make things any better," said Terry Blackstock of Tiger as he watched his total climb at RaceTrac.
"We've got oil we can drill to and get to," Maddox said. "We just need some people in congress to do what they need to do."
Diane Pate of Clayton said she hoped the outcome of the presidential election in November would help remedy the situation.
"We need to listen to Sarah Palin and open up those oil fields," she said.
Bob Bowen of Clayton filled up several plastic containers Friday at On the Run in Rabun Gap in anticipation of gasoline prices rising further over the weekend.
"I have to go on a trip to Mississippi this weekend, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fill up," he said. "Whether I do it today or tomorrow, I am going to buy it because I have to make the trip, and it will be cheaper if I just buy it all today."
Kimberly Allen, assistant manager at Circle M Food Shop in Clayton, said prices jumped from $3.59 to $3.99 on Friday.
"Prices went up again (Sunday) to $4.09 a gallon," she said Monday. She received an e-mail from Clipper Petroleum, the station's fuel provider, indicating it could take seven days for the refineries to reopen.
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Clay wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:19 PM: