Energy secretary explains gas shortage

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolinians may see additional relief at the pump starting next week: The governor says a pipeline that provides the state with its main fuel supply will start working at full capacity.

Gov. Mike Easley said Thursday that the pipeline, which has been running at full capacity in the Gulf since Tuesday, is expected to bring the additional fuel to the state next week.

Easley also said he will continue to bring in 50 to 100 tankers a day to Charlotte and western North Carolina, but he did not indicate how long that would take place.

A gasoline shortage has been affecting several parts of the state since Hurricane Ike hit the Texas Gulf Coast.

AAA says that currently one out of every three gas stations in Charlotte has gas. That’s up from one out of five in recent days. 

The average price for regular unleaded is $3.99, still higher than the state average of $3.87 and the national average of $3.60. 

The latest predictions are that the gas shortage in the area may not be completely alleviated for another week or so.

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