UK Gas Pumps Run Dry in 'Needless Panic'

By Admin
Fuel pumps in London are running dry as Britain's government faces a crisis of its own making. After advising the public to stock up on fuel in th...

 

Fuel pumps in London are running dry as Britain's government faces a crisis of its own making. After advising the public to stock up on fuel in the event of a strike by fuel tanker drivers, the panic-stricken public began draining gasoline stations dry.

Some have even suffered injuries by storing fuel in their homes after the recommendations to set a bit of fuel aside for emergencies. Firefighters in northern England reported that a 46-year-old woman badly burned herself handling gasoline in her kitchen on Friday. She suffered burns to 40 percent of her body.

"This was absolutely a desperate incident and a terrible thing that has happened to this woman," Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday. "My heart goes out to her and her family."

Lawmakers have been slamming the government for evoking what they describe as a needless panic. The government has since warned that it is unsafe to store over 10 liters of gasoline in homes.

A threatened fuel strike is highly unlikely, however. Retailers, motorists' groups and fuel industry officials are receiving a lot of unnecessary blame.

SEE OTHER TOP STORIES IN THE ENERGY DIGITAL CONTENT NETWORK

Total's Leadking Gas Rig: Signs of Trouble

Natural Gas: Reshaping Energy in the U.S.

Check out March's Issue of Energy Digital!

The "government created this fuel crisis and now must take full control," said Brian Madderson of the Retail Motor Industry to Bloomberg. "Panic-buying continues ... with thanks to Francis Maude, many retailers have sold all their small stocks of petrol jerry cans."

The union representing British fuel tanker drivers, Unite, has announced that a strike would be ruled out. Yet, drivers continue to flock to gas stations. Gasoline sales were up more than 170 percent Thursday and diesel sales were up almost 80 percent, according to Britain's Petrol Retailers Association.

 

DOWNLOAD THE ENERGY DIGITAL IPAD APP

 

 

Share

Featured Articles

SAP: Is 'complex' wind energy supply chain slowing adoption?

SAP digital supply chain and manufacturing expert Darcy MacClaren warns complex logistics and complicated regulations are limiting wind energy adoption

Decentralised energy key to circumventing grid delays

Aggreko is advising the sector to consider short to mid-term decentralised energy solutions as an effective means of maintaining business continuity.

Renewable energy to become top source of electricity by 2025

According to the Energy Agency’s Electricity Market Report 2023, 90% of new demand between now and 2025 will be covered by clean energy sources

Nuclear energy — the unsung hero of the climate challenge

Renewable Energy

UK and US announce energy partnership

Oil & Gas

Alfa Laval to supply world’s largest green hydrogen plant

Smart Energy