Week 3 Update

Well, so far there the only fuel shortages experienced in our area seem to be limited to the smaller, privately owned stations.  The corporate machines are rolling on, business as usual.  I have noticed that folks are starting to catch on to the impending shortages and are starting to begin stockpiling fuel in whatever fuel storage containers they can buy (try finding a gas can in a store).  My friend in Liberty Hill, about a 1/2 hour outside of Austin,  went to the local farm and feed store and got a 1000 gallon above ground fuel storage tank and a 150 gallon tank for his truck.  He's been spending his week driving back and forth from the station to his property.  1000 gallons X  $4.45 /gallon = $4450.  He feels it is money well spent.

A quick note about storage:
As long as the the fuel is kept in an air-tight container, it has an exceptionally long shelf life.  It is when it is exposed to air that it will begin to turn to varnish.  This is important for all you folks who are storing fuel.  There are products like Sta-Bil that will allow longer storage of fuels, but those are for storage in vented (exposed to air) containers.  Also, be cautious of fume buildup.  The container will be pressurized (since it is not vented, duh), so use caution when opening/dispensing fuel.  Let's not blind ourselves or have anything burn down.  Here's a goos site to check out:  http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/gasstoretg.htm

The overall mood here in Austin is grim.  There are talks of setting up demonstrations calling on the Gov't to have oil released from the national reserve to slow if not reduce the price inflation.  I know these are tense times, I hope we can all keep a level head.

Torque in Texas signing off...