Hurricanes are coming! Is gas gouging far behind?
Posted by Wayne X. Young
Although its starting late, the US Hurricane Season is finally here. We are currently getting hit with three at once. Although categorized as tropical depressions first, the intensity may increase to storms and eventually hurricanes.
There are 3 active storms currently being monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). Tropical Depression Ana is currently over the Dominican Republic and will possibly make its way to the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. Tropical Storm Bill is out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and might hit the Mid-Atlantic region (VA, DC, NJ, MD) coastal states in another week or so. Tropical Storm Claudette is scheduled to hit Panama City Monday morning and cross into Alabama and Tennessee.
Already we have seen a 10 cent increase in gasoline prices since last week. Gas prices have jumped 10% or more since the last month. Last year, pipelines and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were severely damaged due to hurricane force winds. Distribution of gasoline was affected. The Southeast faced a gas drought of major proportions because we get our gas from the companies who owned the platforms in the Gulf. Weeks went by with little or no fuel in major cities. And the gasoline that was available nearly reached $6/gallon. Lines were around the block!
Are we prepared to accept another “wave” of gas gouging based on greed and desperation? Have we, the consumer, maintained our vehicles to utilize as little gas as possible? Is your tire pressure up to standards? Are we making less non-essential trips? Have we taken the excess weight out of our vehicles? Be prepared people, because it will get worse before it gets better.
– Wayne X. Young
Blacks Must Lead On Climate Change
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Black people in the U.S. have a lot to lose from the twin crises of energy decline and climate change. These are global catastrophes that will soon cause massive changes in our lives. We can expect everything from utilities to common household goods to become much more expensive, and new regulations will make everyday activities more difficult. Increases in epidemics and natural disasters will make health insurance and mobility far more important. Our tough economic circumstances and lower access to information will make it harder to adapt to these changes.
Out Of Gas In The Dirty South
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have struck again, not with high waters and strong winds, but with the partial shutdown of a gasoline pipeline serving the southeast. Half the gas stations in Atlanta are out of gas. Those with gas inventories have long lines of cars with drivers willing to pay very high gas prices. Georgia officials recently negotiated a waiver of environmental regulations that required gas in Atlanta to carry anti-smog chemicals, so gas has been imported from surrounding areas. But even gas imports haven’t reduced the lines at gas stations, which are expected to last through mid-October.
