This is not the kind of nostalgia people are hoping to find in the wake of super storm Sandy.
Long lines at gas stations for limited supplies are being coupled with Jimmy Carter era gas rationing techniques by government officials.
It’s also not limited to New Jersey; New York City reportedly is joining in the rationing.
Cars with even numbers at the end of their license plates can gas up on even numbered days; cars with odd numbers or vanity plates without numbers on odd days. The system is a mirror of the system put in place during the gas crisis of the late 1970s.
Commercial vehicles, taxis and emergency vehicles are exempt. Residents filling up hand held gas cans are also allowed to fill them on any day. Officials said they are not banning the gas cans because of people needing them for generators.
“Demand has increased, the supply chain is sporadic and the number of outlets have decreased,” Edward Mangano of Nassau County told reporters. “We were concerned about the public safety. As the gas supply has begun to be steady, the odd-even will bring some order to the lines.”
Mangano also said that officials were told initially the gas problem would only be a “two or three day issue.” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the issue regarding rationing and regaining supplies is a county issue; however residents of Long Island where the worst of the state’s damage is centered say the governor needs to step in and take action on the shortage.
