Fuel shortages in the central Vancouver Island area have been brief, with a steady-enough supply making its way to customers. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PUMP LIMITS

Non-essential fuel rationing extended through mid-December

Nov 29, 2021 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — Fill ups at area gas stations will be limited for a little while longer.

A provincial state of emergency and subsequent rationing of fuel products has been extended through to at least Dec. 14, according to public safety minister Mike Farnworth.

“The fuel conservation measures are working…but we need to stay the course for another two weeks until we have the Trans Mountain pipeline back online. We need to ensure our supply chains and emergency services have the fuel they need to function.”

Rationing began Nov. 19 and immediately limited fill ups to 30 litres, or around $50, at one time for non essential vehicles.

A handful of local stations reported brief outages of some gasoline products, but no widespread shortages have occurred.

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“Retailers acted quickly to manage the fuel restriction order, Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, said. “In some cases, retailers have set an automatic cutoff related to the price at the pump consistent with 30 litres or less of gas.”

Fuel shortages in the central Vancouver Island area have been brief, with a steady-enough supply making its way to customers. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The province is also receiving fuel from other sources to help keep supply available.

“Fuel has made its way into the Lower Mainland from Alberta through the railways. we also know some barges have arrived to offload fuel from the United States,” Ralston said.

Trans Mountain is continuing to work on restarting the pipeline, which serves as B.C.’s primary fuel source under normal circumstances.

The province continues to monitor the third in a parade of storms, due to hit southwestern B.C. beginning Monday night.

Non-essential vehicles on Vancouver Island and other areas of southern B.C. are limited to 30 litre fill ups for the rest of the month in a bid to conserve supplies of fuel. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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