The USA has been ignoring it’s energy infrustructure for a long time. Apparently one pipeline going down can cause gas shortages for weeks in one part of the country. Atlanta and Charlotte and the whole area in and around there are having problems from what I have heard. That is alot of people to have no backups or alt routes.
The problem is also being exasperated by peoples behavior. The system relys on people driving around on a half a tank. It cant deliver enough gas for everyone to be filling up whenever possible everyday. Everyone got worried that gas was running out, and they went out and bought up all the gas. Suddenly gas ran out. Gee, what a supprise. Then gas cant be delivered as fast as normal, and people demand for it has skyrocketed, and so we get long lines and fights and people staying home instead of going to the store because they dont want to spend the gas. You know that when you are stalking a big-rig to be first in line to get gas you have problems.
Unfornatually this is happening right when the bailout is hitting, so it gets pushed to back page news. If it had happened a month ago just before labor day the papers would have been screaming bloody murder on the front pages.
