There may be no power but the gasoline and diesel fuel will be in the underground tanks. I asked my local station manager (a friend) would he be ready and he said he would have a generator powered pump. Also said Chevron planned to put a big generator on the property to be used by the city (and the station). I have a manual fuel pump that would work at any station not prepared. I suggest everyone check the stations in your area and get a "read out" on their plans.

-- ronbanks (phxbanks@webtv.net), September 25, 1998

Answers

Ron,

Hope this is the obvious answer. When I was going to grad school here in this town, where I grew up, I worked part-time for beer money at the largest-volume self-service gas station in the city, or within 40 miles, for that matter. Was employed there for 2 years, 8 months.

There were probably 8 times during those 32 months when the station ran out of regular unleaded gasoline for 24 hours at a time, and this was just under normal circumstances, for no real reason other than somebody just screwed up on normal supply/demand projections. We're talking 1988 - 1990.

If there are backup pumps to bring the stuff up from underground, great! But if there are no trucks bringing the stuff to fill up the big tanks, which at best can last TWO DAYS, then....what we gonna do.

Been there, know whereof I speak. Any other gas station guys' comments?

-- John Howard (Greenville, NC) (pcdir@prodigy.net), September 26, 1998.

God Bless your good intentions though!

-- John Howard (pcdir@prodigy.net), September 26, 1998.

John....My good intentions include looking out for numero uno! Notice I said my friend the station manager. I too spent some early years as a gas pump jockey. I can dip a tank with the best of them. I am sure if the lights go out the fuel in the ground will be rationed and city, fema, national guard, police etc will be at the head of the line. I would only want some extra for my generator as my bike won"t need any. If I get caught running around with my manual pump I'll probably be shot. Fuelish me.

-- ronbanks (phxbanks@webtv.net), September 26, 1998.

10-4, Ron, I hearya!

-- John Howard (pcdir@prodigy.net), September 28, 1998.