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Odd-Even Gas Rationing Begins Friday

Policy is meant to address continuing gas shortage following Hurricane Sandy.

Ten days after Hurricane Sandy slammed Long Island, a gas rationing system is set to go into effect Friday at 5 a.m., Nassau and Suffolk county officials have announced. 

The temporary policy requires gas stations in both counties to sell fuel only to drivers with vehicles bearing license plate numbers that correlate in odd/even terms with the day of the month, according to a press release from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's office. 

Here are the details from the release:

  • Drivers with license plates ending in an even number will be able to purchase fuel only on even-numbered days and drivers with license plate numbers that end in an odd number will be able to purchase fuel only on odd-numbered days. 
  • License plates such as vanity plates that do not display numbers will be considered odd-numbered plates. 
  • Out of state plates will be subject to the same requirements.
  • This policy does not apply to commercial vehicles, taxi or limousine fleets or emergency fleets, nor does it apply to handheld gas canisters. 

Friday, being the 9th day of the month, is an odd-numbered day. Zero is considered an even number. 

“This temporary fuel policy will ease the challenges residents of the bi-county region are experiencing in the aftermath of the storm,” Bellone said. “Our citizens travel between Nassau and Suffolk without regard to county borders and it only makes sense that we adopt a regional solution. I thank my counterpart Nassau County Executive [Ed] Mangano for working with me to adopt this policy.”

The same system will also be implemented in New York City Friday. A dozen counties in New Jersey have been operating under odd-even rationing since last Saturday. 

The fuel shortage was exacerbated by the nor'easter that hit the region as a terminal that pumps about 4.5 million gallons of gas a day into the NYC and Long Island area suffered a "partial failure" due to power outages late Wednesday night, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. 

"While power was restored this morning, there was an interruption in the fuel supply chain to those regions," the governor said in a release. 

Do you agree with the gas rationing policy? Let us know in the comments. 

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Springs Mommy November 9, 2012 at 07:57 pm
I read in an alternate news source that Odd/Even starts on Long Island at 5PM Friday. (PM, not AM)
Ralebird November 9, 2012 at 08:32 pm
Alternate news sources alternate AM and PM.
Earl November 9, 2012 at 08:35 pm
Ignore that new source then, everywhere has stated AM.
HERE FOR THE SAME REASON November 9, 2012 at 09:12 pm
Nobody enforcing odd even gas and everyone has gas and no lines, only at BP in rocky point at 4.35 a gallon "OUCH" I hope everyone is taking note of these price gougers. Let's all put them out of business when things get better. Hess as usual is still well below 4 bucks a gallon and within 1 mile of the looser gas stations.
HERE FOR THE SAME REASON November 9, 2012 at 09:17 pm
Again,,,I'm running for governor next term with a ged under my belt as I thought of this the day after the hurricane,,,give Cumo my number I have some other good ideas that will make us not as broke as the 2 sceince experiment states ie. NY and CA of how not to run a country. Gotta love high taxes and bankrupt counties. I wonder what other states wiould do with the kind of money our state rakes in with taxes.
CAB November 9, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I'm odd (pun intended) and in Kings Park, drove right up to my regular BP station, got a full tank at pre-Sandy prices, was able to use credit card, thanked "my" guy, and left wondering if 2pm was an unusually good time, or was I just lucky? Happy, yes! 9 days without heat/elec, and this was as good as it gets today, heat, lights and gas! The things we took for granted 2 weeks ago. Hey! Monday is going to be near 70 degrees! woo-hoo.
Laura November 9, 2012 at 11:53 pm
To use an odd/even system for gas was not that popular in the past. The biggest problem is finding a gas station that has gas. What color is the gas GREEN?
eddie haskell November 10, 2012 at 12:28 am
im not a gambilin man,, but i bet this is not storm related.. and it lasts till end of year!!!!!
ohboy November 10, 2012 at 12:42 am
Well odd/even made my getting gas earlier this evening a pleasure, 14 minutes and price was fair and staff pleasent at Shell, Larkfield Road near Home Depot in E. Northport. Not like the nasty people at Xtra Fuels on the corner of Larkfield & Pulaski in E. Norhtport who let me wait 1 hour and 5 minutes and not allow me to fill my gas can and got nasty!!! No sign saying no gas cans. They will never see my green again. Go to gasbuddy.com, very reliable so far!
Terry November 10, 2012 at 04:25 am
Yep, now only half the knuckleheads who filled up there tanks when 3/4 full were in line.
Frank Tardalo November 10, 2012 at 11:00 am
NYC workers getting gas for free it should only be first responders. They are on gas line on city time what a total rip off to the tax payers, i.e., they get paid for waiting on line...go figure
Elle917 November 10, 2012 at 02:51 pm
Agree, this crisis brought out the best or the worst in some gas stations.
I found that Citgo and Hess in my area really stepped up during this crisis. They had gas, opened early or stayed open late (until the gas ran out) and had polite workers there to help you out. Thanks Citgo and Hess! I will avoid the other gas stations that did absolutely nothing to get their gas deliveries or even attempt to get a temporary generator like Mobile and Gulf. They left the heavy-lifting to other stations.
Harry November 10, 2012 at 06:34 pm
And there's terry again with his moronic comments
Terry November 10, 2012 at 07:58 pm
Oh my god, I only have 7/8 of a tank and its an even day and my plate is odd. What should I do?
J.R November 11, 2012 at 12:22 am
Terry you are a very sarcastic person. Anyway, without a doubt the most reliable, friendly, curtious, speedy service with a smile and NOT price gouging is Gasoline Heaven!! They have by far been the most consistent with getting gas! The community has benefitted by the hard work of this locally owned small business! Thanks for helping the community with a smile and being there to supply all of us with gas regularly!
HERE FOR THE SAME REASON November 11, 2012 at 02:28 am
Again,,,,do not forget the stations with prices all over the place. 4.09-4.35 iv'e seen up and down 25A. Then there's Hess in miller place 3.79 the whole storm before and after and even now. Never fluctuated even 1 penny 3.79 still. The gouging law states more than 10% above the average, that explains the 4.09 everywhere, they pushed it to the limit so as not to break the law. Thes people are in our communities and we allow them to be in business, I stress allow. Make them feel very unwelcome after this is over. Very unwelcome
Rina Dunham November 11, 2012 at 03:14 am
Yes it's true! Right now the only place to get this is in Africa. But if LIPA keeps withholding power from us, then we should be Third World in no time! So save ur urine sista -& we'll be energy independent in no time!!!
LS November 11, 2012 at 04:44 am
No surprise Andrew isn't great at his job; remember his tenure at HUD, which helped bring on the mortgage crisis. Considering the mess Mario left, it's no surprise Andrew isn't up to the job either.
David Pridgen November 11, 2012 at 07:05 pm
You shouldn't be taping your windows anyway. The tape on the windows thing is a myth. It won't prevent your windows from being broken by flying debris, what it will do is prevent your windows from shattering into smaller, less dangerous pieces. The tape will keep larger more deadly pieces intact, thereby increasing the danger to those within.
David Pridgen November 11, 2012 at 07:16 pm
Wrong, they already have separate cash/credit prices that take those fees into account. The only reason they aren't accepting credit cards is because their credit verification system is down because it relies on phone lines that are down.
Michael Ragan November 12, 2012 at 09:05 pm
Siple: three is odd, two is even, one is odd, so then zero is even.
Michael Ragan November 12, 2012 at 09:10 pm
Exactly. I was afraid that if I couldn't get gas on my "assigned" day I'd lose more time AND money by missing work again.
Luckily things were back to normal and I was able to buy gas ... on Friday night (ODD), Saturday afternoon (EVEN), and again on Sunday (ODD) with my even # plate. Why? Because no one was checking ... and checking would have been pointless. There was no line what-so-ever and the station was half empty. Another example of 'too little, too late' from the politicians.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:25 am
NO it didn't. What's wrong with you? Just get your gas and be thankful that your allive and still have a home and a car. Many people don't so quityerbitchin.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:32 am
Where do you get your information Roger? You need to quit your bitchin and get over it. Obama had to repair all of Bushs screw ups before he even sat in the chair so suck it up and move on. Nobody cares about your opinion here.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:32 am
Jeremiah bullfrog….Are you rude or ignorant?
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:33 am
boo hoo
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:34 am
boo hoo… you cry babies just need to suck it up and get over it.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:38 am
Why are all you crybabies blaming the government? Especially you republicans who don't want anyone to have to be helped by government. Small government you was your cry just weeks ago. People need to be responsible for themselves say you. Changed your tune have ya? Now you want the government to fix it because you didn't take responsibility for yourselves and prepare for the storm. You people have a lot of nerve. Next time you are told that there is a storm coming take some responsibility for yourselves so that you don't have to depend on government. You Republicans are the first to have your hands out for government help when something goes wrong. Quit your bitchin crybabies.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:54 am
John Smith, I think that you should seek a psychiatrist because you have some heavy anger issues. Get help man.
Joan November 23, 2012 at 05:56 am
Your depression issues probably stem from the fact that you aren't smart enough to know that those Republicans hate you and everyone like you. You heard them say it yet still you would vote for them to become their willing slave.
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Mark June 18, 2013 at 04:01 pm
A zero budget is not even necessary for this tremendous problem. Even with the 3.14 budget, thisRead More scenario exists. The classes will be in the thirties next year in the secondary schools. I heard the classes will have at least 35 kids in them next year because of all of the teacher excessing. It would be even worse if there is a zero budget, but the problem already exists.
Jen Jones June 18, 2013 at 04:12 pm
It's very possible Mark, and you're right, it's already a problem because of the cuts made to get toRead More this tax cap budget. It will be a complete disaster if the budget fails.
JP June 17, 2013 at 10:55 am
Shameful Remarks....
Voice Of Reason June 18, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Wrong JP, people like Mrs. Kohlmann make this country and people like yourself just take. That'sRead More what is shameful!
Mark June 18, 2013 at 04:10 pm
My kids do not have Mr. Hinkaty, but I know his name well from many others. He is a favorite ofRead More many, many students. I hope for the sake of Sachem something changes over the summer and they can find a way to keep him here. Whatever district ends up with that teacher will find that they have struck gold. We wish you the best, Mr. Hinkaty. I hope we can keep you here!
Michelle Skidmore June 13, 2013 at 07:53 pm
If there is my 10 year old would love to join, we have been looking for a while!
Teresa Kuehhas June 18, 2013 at 04:07 pm
email alex young: ajyoung22@aol.com