Gas shortage

So in case people haven't noticed we are experiencing a gas shortage here in Georgia. But the reason is why? EPA standards for fuel sulfur in Atlanta are higher because of poor air quality. All this time I thought that gas shortages were due to the hurricanes. It's interesting because I've heard people say that you haven't lived through a gas shortage unless you went through the one in the 70s where gas was rationed depending on whether your tag ended in an old or even number. At a time as this what should be done? Should regulations be loosened to allow more hazardous fuel in Atlanta while saving people time. This particular situation is one of opportunity cost. If the EPA doesn't loosen up the restrictions things could get ugly pretty quickly (actually they have but they could get worse.) Would more football games be considered for cancellation? It's already bad how much time people spend sitting in traffic everyday commuting to and from work or school. How much more time are they going to sacrifice to get gas. I've driven around and have seen lines that go as far was several miles. I went to fill up on Friday night and was informed that I had to turn around and do down the street to get in line for gas. I've also seen cop cars at gas stations there to make sure things don't get out of control. I was in Macon on Saturday and saw fewer lines but lines none the less meaning that the impact of those regulations is being felt else where in Georgia. However if the EPA does loosen up restrictions then what happens if the same situation or something worse occurs again? Do they repeat with the reduction of restrictions? The air quality in Atlanta would get worse than it is now causing other factors to come into play such as health hazards, quality of life in Atlanta etc... I was surprised to see that the news medium did address the issue with more coverage ( I googled the issue and saw only a handful of responses.) Either way the population of Atlanta and beyond are going to have to give something up to get something in return. More gas equals less air quality. Less gas equals more time in line waiting for gas. Who in the 70s would have imagined having to live through something similar (in context not extremity) again in their life time with gas shortages?