In Photos: Gas Crisis (Here we go again)

In the early 1970s, and again in 1979, gasoline shortages triggered by conflicts in oil producing regions resulted in gas rationing and long lines locally. My brother and I were in our teens and recall waiting in lines stretching down the block for our turn to get the maximum 10 gallons of fuel. The United States relied heavily on oil imports at the time with saw dramatic price increases. Gas prices at the pump had annual increases of 9.9 percent (1973), 35.3 percent (1974), 35.3 percent (1979), and 38.9 percent (1980). 

The current crisis began after the United States and Israel launched unprovoked airstrikes on Iran this past February. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes. On March 4, Iranian forces closed the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic, impacting about 20% of the global oil supply and market price. 

The cost of crude oil directly impacts what we pay for gasoline at the pump, accounting for roughly half the price. “If the price of oil goes up by 10 percent, you would expect gas to go up by 5 percent,“ said Michael Levine, economics professor at SAC. Levine also explained why we haven’t had a gas shortage. “The U.S. did not produce nearly as much oil back then [1970s] as we do now.” We also have strategic petroleum reserves that we are “tapping” into.

Data from AAA shows the price of regular gasoline in Orange County increasing 38% from $4.33/gallon at the start of the spring semester to $5.98 on June 1. 

It’s mid-afternoon on a Thursday as I pull into the neighborhood Shell station at Bristol St. and Memory Ln. A white sedan pulls away from the pumps leaving the station barren. Manager Bob Lakajmi says gas volumes have been down. “Busiest days of the week are Friday and Saturday and gasoline sales have been off by, on average, 700 gallons a day.” The station has experienced a drop of 15-18 percent of prior daily volume activity that ranged from 3,800 to 4,600 gallons.

Not all Santa Ana locals are directly impacted by rising gas prices. Students waiting for the southbound route 60 bus at the corner of Bristol and 17^th Street are more concerned with how gas prices affect their parents and family traveling to and from work. Others rely on electric bikes and scooters to travel to and from school and their jobs.

“We decided… as a national priority to become energy independent, and so we became the largest producer of oil in the world,” said U.S. Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) referencing the oil crisis of the 1970s. “I’ve been a strong advocate of keeping oil production going in California. I believe in a balanced energy policy.” With regards to action Congress can take Correa said, “Most Democrats and an ever growing number of Republicans are very much in favor of stopping this war.”

Despite the illusion of a ceasefire, the strait remains closed as oil shortages grow around the world and continue to worsen prices at the pump locally. As this self-inflicted crisis by the Trump administration continues, is it possible that we reach the point of gas rationing not seen since the 1970s?