Image

The cardlock station at the Pioneer Co-op Agro Centre in Swift Current (Photo: Pioneer Co-op)

The diesel shortage across the prairies seems to be the result of a perfect storm.

 

A recent fire and explosion at the Co-op Refinery/Upgrader Complex in Regina, as well as problems at a Suncor Refinery near Edmonton have combined to create tight supply.

 

The shortage is causing a number of cardlock stations and truck stops to put limits on how much drivers can put in their tanks. Vic Huard, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Federated Co-operatives Limited, says they have put an allocation of 300 litres a day for people with fleet cards, which he calls a prudent measure to keep their cardlocks going and make sure the supply that is available is distributed as fairly as possible.

 

Huard says along with the problems at the refineries, Western Canada is experiencing a huge spike in demand for diesel.

 

 

Huard expects supplies of diesel to remain tight throughout most of November.