Gas, Oil Supplies Will Last To Monday

Gasoline and heating oil companies say Spokane and North Idaho will have enough supplies to last until Monday, when officials will reopen the Columbia River three days earlier than expected.

Petroleum companies who depend on fuel delivered by barge to distribution centers in the Tri-Cities had warned last week of dry pumps and cold homes if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not postpone its scheduled two-week maintenance closure of the Columbia River.

“We’ve got enough supply,” said Ron Simpson, senior associate with the Chevron Pipeline Co. in Pasco. The company also provides fuel to Amoco stations.

Ray Betts, owner of Betts Oil Co. in Spokane, said there has been no shortage of heating oil for his 2,000 customers.

, DataTimes