The next time a Gulf Coast hurricane cuts down the flow of fuel to North Carolina, our governor might have new powers to decide who gets precious gas -- and who doesn’t.
The Senate approved and sent to the House today a bill authorizing the governor to ration fuel supplies in times of disasters and other emergencies when markets are disrupted.
The measure would expand on the state’s power to combat gasoline price gouging in similar situations. Last September, Hurricane Ike closed some refineries and pinched the pipeline flow of gasoline to North Carolina, causing prolonged shortages in several cities. Several retailers were fined for gouging after they sold regular gas for as much as $5.49 a gallon.
Gov. Bev Perdue has not decided whether she wants new power to ration fuel supplies.
"Gov. Perdue wants to make sure North Carolina citizens can get the fuel they need during a time of crisis," said Chrissy Pearson, her press secretary. "She is reviewing this legislation as it continues through the legislative process."
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
Comments
excellent
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 21:29 — artofmagicksounds an excellent idea in my opinion. add link free directory submit url
Leadership sleeping on watch
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 22:00 — Notsurewhere_NCHopefully we don't ever need this this, but if we do, let us pray that whomever is Guv, they are not as invisible or transparent as Guv Easy. We might need some gas on the weekend. We know they will all be unavailable and at the coast from Fri-Tues. The other issue that still has not been addressed by this administration and others is: why is this state still single threaded to an unreliable gasoline source, one pipeline, one of the largest army bases, one of the largest marine bases, 9th largest populated state, banking capital, etc. One pipeline for fuel. No plans for off shore energy, no in-state refinery capacity. No future in a disaster. It took months after the last gas shortages in NC for our prices to recover, while other states with diverse supplies saw price stabilization months before NC did. But we do have leadership in the Peoples Republic of NC that is worried about plastic trash bags on the beach. Let us all sleep tight tonite knowing our leaders are watching our best interests.
Dumb idea
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:30 — kmisegadesDon't these people read history books? Rationing and price controls of gasoline in the US in late 1970s lead to shortages as fuel suppliers looked for better markets for their products. Which is there was no shortage of fuel in Europe, although it all came from the same OPEC oil fields. What pinheaded, ignorant bureaucrats call gouging is nothing more than a free market reacting to supply and demand. When the prices rise dramatically, suppliers rush in to sell at that price, leading to an oversupply and prices plummet. Which is precisely why fuel prices currently are down below $2 in much of the US, only a year after all these wizards of smart claimed we'd never again see gas below $3. I predict we'll be under $1 once we sweep these fools from office and start drilling and refining again.
Nice
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:25 — kmisegadesWonderful