Massive Power Outage

E3 · #1 August 21st, 2003, 12:06 AM

DavidG, exactly what I was refering to.
LOL

Phoenix-D · #2 August 21st, 2003, 12:13 AM

What I want to know about the gas situation is this:

-its claimed that the pipeline breaking is the cause of the problem, and that fixing it will resolve the problem
-it is ALSO claimed that we have the same amount of gas on hand as usual, and the problem is getting it to the stations

So how exactly will fixing a pipeline- which of course does NOT delive to individual stations- fix this situation?

Wardad · #3 August 21st, 2003, 02:16 AM

Phoenix-D

Pipelines can carry fuel more efficently over longer distances than trucks can. Think of it as a railroad carrying a lot of heavy freight to a depot. The trucks deliver the fuel from the local terminal (depot) to the local stations.

Shuttng down the pipeline will shut down the local Phoenix terminal. Now the trucks have to drive to Tuscon to pick up the same gas, but there is not as many filling (pump) spots at that terminal.

Other distributers do not have more of Phoenix's special EPA approved blend, so they are not much help.

Who ever said there is the same amount of gas as before is lying and trying to avoid a panic. There will be less than before, but it is enough to get by on, if we all conserve.

geoschmo · #4 August 21st, 2003, 02:24 AM

One truck operating out of a terminal in Phoenix can service more stations in Phoneix then the same truck operating out of a terminal in Tuscon in the same amount of time. So to get the same amount of gas to the Phoenix stations you have to add a whole lot more trucks or drive teh same trucks more hours in the day. This can't be done because normally people don't have fleets of fuel trucks sitting around doing nothing, they are servicing other comunities. And since you can't add mroe hours to the day then you end up with less gas.

Wardad · #5 August 21st, 2003, 07:15 PM

Other gas distributers are unwilling to make Phoenix's summer blend (which contains MTBE).
If they tried they would have a problem come October 2nd when we switch to our winter blend.

The MTBE has been dropped by other states because of aquafer contamination and it is a suspected carcinagen.
Phoenix has been struggling to meet the EPA ozone requirements.

Wardad · #6 August 22nd, 2003, 10:02 PM

WoW!!!
I got the Last word in!!!

Alpha Kodiak · #7 August 23rd, 2003, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wardad:
WoW!!!
I got the Last word in!!!

Sorry Wardad, I can't let you get away with the Last word.

Fuel supplies in the Phoenix area seem to have pretty much stabilized, with no lines and most stations having gasoline. Now if the price would drop down below $2 a gallon....

It's funny how fast the prices go up when there is a shortage (or even the slightest hint of a possible problem), and how s l o w l y they come down when there is plenty of gas.