The Northeast region of the U.S. is particularly vulnerable to gasoline disruptions as a result of hurricanes and other natural events. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused widespread issues related to the availability of gasoline. In response to help build a more secure and resilient energy infrastructure, the Energy Department established the first federal regional refined petroleum product reserve containing gasoline.
To help strengthen regional fuel resiliency in the Northeast, the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR) holds one million barrels of gasoline:
- 700,000 barrels located in the New York Harbor area;
- 200,000 barrels positioned in the Boston area; and
- 100,000 in South Portland, Maine.
Releasing Gasoline
Decisions to withdraw gasoline from the Reserve are made under the authorities of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). The U.S. Department of Energy has developed an online bidding system – an anonymous auction program – for the sale of product from the NGSR. Prospective bidders and other interested parties are invited to try out the system and give us feedback.
- You must register to use the system to practice or to participate in an actual emergency sale.
- Registration assures that you will receive email alerts of sales or other pertinent news. You will also have the opportunity to establish a user ID and password to submit bids.
- If you establish a user ID, you will receive a temporary password by email, which you must then change to one of your own choosing.
The online bidding system is available as a non-binding demonstration. You can use the system to become more familiar with the bidding process in a realistic environment.
The Department plans to run simulated one-day sales, open to all interested registrants. When you register on the next page, you will receive email alerts describing simulations and providing more specific directions.
To register or practice on the demonstration system, proceed to the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve Online Bidding System.
