Looking for a new home or just driving by

Now more than ever Atlanta Real Estate agents can be certain that new home buyers driving to their communities are not “just driving by.” Chances are with gas prices around $4 a gallon an a shortage of gas in the metro area, buyers are looking to buy.

Atlanta Real Estate Forum has done some investigating into WHY there is such a huge gasoline shortage in the metro area.  Here are our findings:

* Limited Gas Supply
* Oil prices skyrocket

The gas supply has taken a major hit as refineries in the Houston area try to get back up to full capacity in the wake of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, state and industry officials say. The Colonial Pipeline, which typically delivers 100 million gallons of gasoline, aviation fuel and other petroleum products throughout the southeastern United States, is not running at full capacity.

“Since the hurricanes both hit, we have been tapping the reserves of the stockpiles of the fuels that were made before the hurricanes hit, and we’ve been delivering those,” said Steve Baker, a spokesman for the pipeline.

“That’s caused us to operate at a reduced rate, less than we’re capable of. So that’s been part of the problem that we’ve faced, and we’re trying to overcome.”

Further complicating matters is that metro Atlanta has more stringent environmental requirements than other areas, meaning gas from other cities can’t be brought in because it doesn’t meet the city’s smog requirements. The state is working with the state energy agency and the Environmental Protection Agency about getting a temporary waiver of that rule, said Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office.

“I don’t want anyone to think that’s a panacea,” he said.

But he added, “Anything that would help us get another truckload or two … is going to help the situation.”

Brantley said the state has already lifted some regulations allowing for drivers to work more hours to get fuel from the main terminal to stations and for heavier trucks to be allowed to carry larger loads than normal. The state is asking people who don’t need to fill up their tanks to wait until later before doing so.

“There’s somewhat of a shortage right now, but it certainly could get a lot worse if people were to panic and react in a way that would cause a run and drain what supply there is out there now,” Brantley said. “That’s why we’re encouraging Georgians to conserve as much as possible.”

The state would not offer a timeframe on when the situation might return to normal. Brantley, however, said the situation with Houston’s refineries is getting better every day.

Jim Tudor, the president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, which represents about 2,600 stores, praised the state for lifting some of the restrictions to allow for quicker delivery of fuel.

“We are working as fast as possible to try to get as many stations refilled,” he said. “Having said that, we’re still in catch-up mode.”

That brings little relief to consumers.
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iReporter Dustin Gatlin said he waited 45 minutes Sunday at an Atlanta QuikTrip before it shut down. He then waited for well over an hour at a different station.