According to some of the anti-war folk, we are already doing just what you suggest. In fact, some have said that oil was the secret reason for invading Iraq. No matter, I agree with you, especially after waiting in line for 2 hours then paying $2.55 per gallon for gas.
On a related subject, I have a question. What are the guidelines for determining what is price gouging? How much (percentage wise) can service stations raise the price of gas before it is considered gouging, thus qualifying them for severe criminal penalties? Before jumping on me with both feet give me a moment here. I know about supply and demand. If there is a shortage, the price goes up. Rigs and pumpers in the Gulf were damaged. Pipelines were shut down. However, I also know about reserves and imports. There is no shortage. Granted there may be a shortage in a few months, but this soon after the hurricane there is no shortage. There is disruption in the transport (it has to come from a different shipping point), thus the long lines that we experienced last week and the week before. That, in and of itself, does not drive the price up except by a few cents per gallon.
I would like to see an investigation of the industry. I'm willing to bet that the service stations are paying only a few cents more for a gallon of gas than before Katrina. At that time, one chain of convenience stores was paying $1.53 per gallon and charging $2.19 to $2.29 (depending of what other stations in the community were charging). Now, they are likely paying $1.59 and charging $2.55 to $2.79.
Years ago, when I was in the convenience store industy, we were very sensitive to the fact that it was illegal to “fix” prices. As a result, we could not discuss gas prices with our competitors, even over cocktails at a party. However, it was common practice to secretly agree with and conspire with competitive companies. It was done regularly. The difference is that in those days it was common to use gas prices as the drawing card, charging anywhere from 2 cents to 5 cents over our costs, and hope that gas customers would furnish us with profits by purchasing cigarettes and beer and other items. Today, the stations are making $1.00 or more per gallon profit on gas. In the old days, at 2 cents per gallon profit, gas sales paid the mortgage, utilities and wages at a station that was a good pumper. That meant all profits earned on other items were net profit, rather than gross profit. Today, a good pumper can make the owner quite rich.
No wonder all three Loxley police cars were parked across from the only station that had gas last week. I imagine the temptation to become a “drive-off” is pretty strong these days. lol