Energy marketers warn that panic buying can harm efforts to restore normal fuel supplies

(The following statement is from the Energy Marketers of America’s president, Rob Underwood.) “The ‘Colonial Pipeline’ is back up and running—and our industry is working, around the clock, to mitigate any lingering supply-disruptions. While we have a very efficient supply-system, unfortunately the system can be overwhelmed in the time of panic-buying. This does not help the situation. “For the most part, the major oil-companies do not own or operate gas-stations: About 98-percent are independently owned and operated—which are mostly small, mom-and-pop businesses. My organization—the ‘Energy Marketers of America’—represents these businesses. Many of my members in the Southeast have told me [that] they’ve sold several days' worth of inventory, within a few hours. “Again, panic-buying doesn’t help the situation: Not only does this take away fuel from those who truly need it—but it also puts a tremendous amount of pressure on small businesses who are working, around the clock, to resupply motorists. “Finally, I want to thank the Biden-administration, for issuing important fuel-waivers that are necessary to keep the gasoline-market supplied. We will continue to work with this administration, the states, and industries throughout the supply-chain—to ensure [that] normal operations are quickly established.”