Plenty Of Snow, Plenty Of Fuel
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Although many, if not most, Chicago-area motorists filled their gas tanks in anticipation of this week's blizzard, there is no apparent shortage of fuel.
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Motorists report a handful of stations that have run out of fuel or have low supplies. But Illinois Petroleum Marketing Association Executive Vice President Bill Fleischli said fuel trucks are on the way, and that the problem is not widespread.
"There is no shortage," he said. "We were prepared."
Fleishcli said that the marketers' group obtained U.S. Dept. of Transportation waivers to allow drivers to work beyond their normal time limitations to deliver fuel, if necessary, and said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was also ready to waive regulations to assure that Chicago had enough fuel on hand.
Neither has been necessary, Fleischli said. He said both waivers have been granted in the past during times of weather emergencies.
Supply issues are not to be confused with price increases. Fleischli says prices have edged up steadily for several weeks because of the instability in Egypt and the resulting increase in spot oil prices.
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