A refinery gap makes Southeast dependent on gasoline pipeline

Andy Uhler Nov 2, 2016
HTML EMBED:
COPY
A crude oil refinery in Krotz Springs, Louisiana. Mario Tama/Getty Images

A refinery gap makes Southeast dependent on gasoline pipeline

Andy Uhler Nov 2, 2016
A crude oil refinery in Krotz Springs, Louisiana. Mario Tama/Getty Images
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Pipelines like the one that shut down in Alabama are a weak link in the distribution of fuel, but that’s because the real chokepoint is the production of gasoline at refineries. Some parts of the country have no refineries (i.e. the Southeast) and so they depend on pipelines; others have barely enough refineries for their own needs. So when a pipeline goes down, the search for gasoline spreads far and wide.

Screenshot of a map showing refineries throughout the United States. See full interactive map at Refinery Report.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.