Coming this summer: Gas stations running out of gas

— News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Dumping a load.
A Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg image

Coming this summer: Gas stations running out of gas

Thought the toilet paper shortages were bad when COVID-19 hit the fan last spring?  Wait until this summer when pandemic restrictions lift but gasoline will be short in supply for going on road trips, returning to the grind of the commute to work, etc.

The expected problem is not the result of any Green New Deal restrictions blocking things such as the Keystone Pipeline – at least not yet anyway. 

“On the road again – just can’t wait to get on the road again …”
Image via impactlab.net

Rather, the impending problem will be the result of a supply chain disruption arising from a lack of available truckers.

When driving took a dive when the impacts of the pandemic restrictions made a mess of most everything, gasoline truckers were – at best – looking at short hours. 

Many gasoline hauling truckers thus shifted to regular freight hauling given the huge uptick in e-commerce shopping by housebound shoppers and others opted to retire.

Now that gasoline demand is growing rapidly with more to come as summer driving approaches, truckers with the certifications and training to haul gasoline are in short supply.

Adding to the problem, many of those who are qualified who have been hauling regular cargo are sticking with it rather than face the understandable stress of hauling highly inflammable gasoline even if at premium pay. 

Shift Work Stress Disorder happens
Image via TriStar Pictures

Plus, gasoline hauling is often done at night when traffic is less of concern even if late-night working truckers are prime candidates to suffer the effects of Shift Work Stress Disorder.

Put another way, a lot of us may be looking at another summer of stay vacations.

That and continued cases of cabin fever.

Source: Coming this summer: Gas stations running out of gas

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