Gas shortages popping up in Central Jersey

Fuel shortages are being reported in the Princeton-area. A survey by NewsWorks at 1 p.m. of six gas stations found four open and two that had just ran out.

The Sunoco and Gulf stations on Nassau Street and Murray Place had short lines of two or three cars. Also the Gulf and Getty Stations on Route 1 at Washington Road had gas and fairly short lines.

But the Sunoco at Route 1 and Harrison Street were seen putting up orange cones at their entrances and indicated that they won’t have more gas until tomorrow.

Lukoil on Route 1 near the Princeton Diner was out of gas, an attendant said more gas should arrive sometime this afternoon.

Most of the gas shortages reported are farther north or in New York state, where today there were reports of cars lined up for nearly a mile waiting for gas.

Superstorm Sandy damaged ports that accept fuel tankers, and it flooded underground equipment that sends fuel through pipelines. Without power, fuel terminals can’t pump gasoline onto tanker trucks, and gas stations can’t pump it into cars.

An incomplete map of gas stations that currently have gas has been created by a geo-mapping firm, using information being released by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. The OEM list also shows pharmacies, hotels and restaurants. 

The Port of New York and New Jersey is slowly starting to accept tankers, but some cargo is being diverted to Virginia.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday temporarily waived a maritime rule to allow foreign oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports to help ease a fuelshortage in the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. Napolitano waived — until Nov. 13 — the Jones Act. This law prohibits international cargo ships from transporting oil and other cargo between U.S. ports until Nov. 13. By Alicia A. Caldwell.

This story represents only a snapshot of the gas situation in Central Jersey. If you know of gas stations that have run out of fuel or have long lines, please send us a photo with the location and time to atu@whyy.org