Gas shortage leaves motorists with pump pains

Suncor Energy’s Thunder Bay terminal is experiencing a temporary shortage of regular gasoline causing some local fuel stations to run out of gas.

A Can-Op gas bar on Hodder Avenue was out of gas most of Thursday and the Shell stations on the corners of Red River Road and Junot Avenue ran out Wednesday afternoon and were forced to sell premium fuel for the price of regular fuel.

However, the Shell stations saw relief when a shipment of regular gas from Sault Ste. Marie arrived late Wednesday.

Suncor spokesperson Michael Southern said the problem should be resolved when a marine shipment of regular gas arrives Saturday.

Southern said the reason for the shortage involves the process in place for managing the difference between gasoline required in winter versus summer months.

"We have a rigorous testing process in place to ensure we’re in compliance with those regulations and as we’re transitioning from winter to summer gas, we discovered the gasoline that was available in the Thunder Bay terminal didn’t meet some of the specifications that are defined for the period between May 1 and May 15," he said.

"In order to make sure we’re in compliance with those regulations we really had no choice but to limit the distribution until that new product arrives on Saturday."

In the interim, Suncor is bringing in fuel by truck to the city from Sault Ste. Marie and Winnipeg.

"We’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact of the situation on motorists," Southern said. "We’re doing everything we can between now and when that boat arrives on Saturday to move additional product into the area."