Easley is going to make a major energy address shortly

[dsc]

I admit to being a little afraid given what I heard on the radio this morning in regards to gas in Greenvile and other eastern areas.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

1. What happened out in Greenville, dsc?

-clueless in chapel hill

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. I've heard about gas hitting 2.99 today --

getting a little anxious to get out there and top off my tank while it's still under $3.

I usually bicycle to work, and drive less than 150 miles a month, so that tank should last me a while.

EDIT:

In fact, I'm out of here now. Dread what prices I'm going to find.

[flakey_foont]

6. I paid $2.99 a gal this morning

in Durham

[dsc]

5. two big chains here Kangaroo and one I can't recall

are reporting they are running out of gasoline.

[BR_Parkway]

2. Where, when? any more info?

[dsc]

4. update

Guess it wasn't a major address but just a break in thing. We are to not drive unless we need to and he is trying to get an EPA exemption so we can burn dirtier fuel. I guess 90% of our gas comes from a pipeline which is not working right now.

[LiberalinNC]

7. Here's the press release!

Statement Given Today By Gov. Easley Concerning Gasoline Supply In North Carolina

THE TWO MAJOR PIPELINES THAT FURNISH GASOLINE TO MANY STATES, INCLUDING NORTH CAROLINA, HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA AND ARE CURRENTLY WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. THEY SERVICE NORTH CAROLINA AND 8-10 OTHER STATES.

90 PERCENT OF OUR GAS COMES FROM THESE PIPELINES AND RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT OPERATIONAL.

SUPPLIERS GENERALLY HAVE A WEEK OR SO OF SUPPLY. THEY HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN SINCE THE HURRICANE.

THE PIPELINES NEED ELECTRIC SUPPLY AND THE REFINERIES THAT PRODUCE GASOLINE NEED TO MAKE URGENT REPAIRS ALSO ARE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. THE REFINERIES THAT PRODUCE GASOLINE NEED TO MAKE URGENT REPAIRS.

CONSEQUENTLY, WE DO NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFCANT LOSS OF GASOLINE IN THE SOUTHEAST, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM UNTIL THE ELECTRICITY IS RESTORED.

THIS IS NOT ONLY A STATE PROBLEM, THIS IS ALSO A REGIONAL AND A NATIONAL PROBLEM. WE ARE HOPING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WILL TAKE SOME ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE TRIED TO GET DIRECTION FROM DOE BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET RESPONDED.

IN THE MEANTIME, I AM ASKING ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS TO CONSERVE GAS. SOME STATIONS ARE ALREADY OUT. WAIT FOR MORE INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING LABOR DAY TRAVEL PLANS.

WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE THAT EMERGENCY VEHICLES HAVE THE SUPPLIES THAT THEY NEED, POLICE, FIRE AND RESCUE.

I AM IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL STATE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL. I AM ASKING STATE EMPLOYEES TO CARPOOL WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

I AM ALSO ASKING ALL OUR CITIZENS TO BE SMART ABOUT THEIR FUEL CONSUMPTION.

I AM ASKING THEM TO CARPOOL IF THEY CAN AND TO LIMIT NON-ESSENTIAL ROAD TRIPS.

WE ARE NOT OUT OF GAS, BUT WE ARE RUNNING LOW.

WE MUST TAKE STEPS TO CONSERVE OUR RESOURCES WHILE WE LEARN THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEMS AND WHILE WASHINGTON WORKS TOWARD A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL STRATEGY.

WITH CAREFUL USE OF PRECIOUS FUEL, CONSUMERS CAN HELP US WEATHER THIS LATEST STORM.

NORTH CAROLINA UNDERSTANDS HURRICANES. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THEM AND WE KNOW THAT WE WILL WEATHER THIS ONE AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST. WE KNOW THEY CAUSE DISTRUPTION. WE JUST NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND PLAN.