|
Thursday, 01 September 2005 |
 |
Michael Morel | The Appalachian
Hurricane Katrina affects Boone's gas supply as low- and mid-grade gas
becomes scarce. ASU student Greg J. Poole fills his tank with
high-grade gas at the
Amoco station on Highway 321 for $3.20 per gallon.
|
by MILLIE TOLLESON
News Reporter
Since Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana coast early last week, gas
prices across the nation have soared to well above $3 a gallon, and
Boone has been no exception.
The ravaging effects of the hurricane have exceeded just the physical
damages of the area as two major fuel pipelines were without
electricity and unable to distribute gas.
While this has caused an increase in gas prices all over the country,
the South has been hit particularly hard due to its dependence on gas
from the New Orleans area.
By late last week, Boone gas stations were advertising prices starting at around $3.15 per gallon for regular grade gasoline.
However, by the weekend, as drivers rushed to gas stations to fill up,
many were forced to pay 20 cents more since most stations were out of
both regular and mid-grade gasoline.
Area gas station employees said the only reason for the shortage of gas is the public’s rush to fill up their tanks.
Judy A. Hodges, an employee at the Scotchman on U.S. Highway 321 which
only offered premium gas in the early part of the weekend, said people
are “just worried,” but should not be.
“We will probably run out tonight (Sept. 2), but we will stay open. We will get more in two to three days,” Hodges said.
In a press briefing Thursday, White House Press Secretary Scott
McClellan said the federal government’s plans to address the shortage
include making loans from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve available.
“The President indicated that where people can, they should conserve,” McClellan said in a releases statement.
Price gouging will not be tolerated and should be reported, he said.
As a result of the gas shortage, N.C. Gov. Mike Easley issued an
executive order last week requiring all state government agencies to
curtail non-essential travel through at least Sept. 15.
University of North Carolina President Molly C. Broad urged the 16
schools in the University of North Carolina system, including
Appalachian, to postpone meetings, academic and athletic events where
feasible.
Until prices drop, drivers are being forced to make changes in terms of transportation.
“It’s making me ride the bus a lot more to campus,” senior criminal
justice and psychology major Brandon M. Jackson said.
“The buses seem
to be a lot more crowded, too.”
Junior philosophy and religion major Desiree C. Ricker said she has
been driving less and putting the gears in neutral more to keep her
Jeep Cherokee on the road.
Students were also forced to cancel Labor Day weekend plans due to the gas price increase.
“I was going to go up to Washington, D.C. Now, there is no way I would have made it in my car,” Ricker said.
Jackson was also planning a weekend trip to Wilmington before the price increase, but decided to stay in Boone instead.
“This happened a while ago,” Ricker said. “We might learn our lesson
for a while, but after a few weeks, people just will just go back how
it was before.
“It would be nice if this did make us think about it, but I don’t think it will happen that way.”
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments