So over a week ago I thought I was in the twilight zone when I went by six gas stations that were out of gas. Ok, so Ike had just hit the coast, but did I miss a memo?
And what is going on this week? I'm seeing the plastic bags over the pumps again, the gas price signs missing the gas prices and the AJC printing another story on the long lines at gas pumps. Plus, you know it is bad when people you know out-of-state start sending you emails about the Atlanta gas shortage they read in a CNN news story. Right now, I'm just glad I have a half tank and don't need to go out into the petroleum frenzy that is becoming Atlanta.
I mean, if I realized that a shutdown of Texas oil refineries would increase my price at the pump and make the city go nuttier than a forecast of snow, then I would have purchased and filled up on cheap gas before Ike landed. I usually hit the Briarcliff corridor for cheap gas prices; the QuikTrip near the intersection with Clifton, or several of the stations on North Druid Hills near I-85. But they were out of gas last time I went by a couple of weeks ago. But my question is, why are we out of gas again?
It is important to note that in the CNN story, it talks about suburban gas stations being out. Sure, they were out of gas at some intown stations too, but I have three comments about the suburban issue:
- People in the suburbs probably drive a whole lot more, and partially of their own choosing. They had their chance to have easier MARTA access, but in the past have declined rail extensions due to fear of urban spread and urban crime. As early as 1990 there was a vote to extend MARTA rail to Snellville, Stone Mountain and Gwinnett, which was ardently voted down. And I will say the last I heard, the Cobb Community Transit Express buses were standing room only, so it isn't like there isn't a demand for transit options in nearby counties.
- It goes to show how different the lifestyles are intown and OTP (outside the Perimeter). I live in the city and I'm too busy half the time to even be caught up in the news about gas or be willing to fill up my tank at a moment's notice. I budget my money anyhow and so far have stuck to a $70 limit for gas this month. I'm sure not going to fill up until I need it. I take MARTA to work almost every day of the week, so gas or no gas, I'm getting to where I need to be. I would be freaking out too if I lived 30 minutes from anything.
- Why is Atlanta having this problem and not other cities? I'm guessing it is partly the sprawl and way too many cars. People like to drive too much here. There are just too many cars and too many people driving and too many people needing gas and too many people over-reacting. Instead of getting freaked out by the evening news, go volunteer, meet your neighbors, do something cultural or hop on that train you aren't taking and go to a sports game. But let's not inconvenience the whole city by thinking you need to fill up your cars and SUVs "just in case". This whole gas issue is supporting that point that Atlanta is overly car-centric. Most people seem to not care if they are contributing to the gas shortage as long as their car is topped off. They are making Atlanta seem more like "closing day"...hard to have an opening-day type of city when you can't get fuel to get where you need to go.
So, I would say to those people who are worried about gas, maybe you could turn more of your worries and more of your support toward transportation options in the city that would benefit everyone and lead to less demand for gas. The
Clean Air Campaign offers carpooling match ups, and there is MARTA of course, which seems to be perpetually out of money. Support the
Belt Line or
Citizens for Progress Transit. Encourage your employer to do four-day work weeks or telecommuting. Vote "yes" for transit expansion, or don't whine and complain when gas shortages happen or prices go so high that they become unaffordable. It doesn't really affect me, as I can get around without a car, but I don't want to be inconvenienced when the choices made by those outside the city catch up with them and that SUV driver in Roswell causes gas panic in my 'hood.