[WalterBright]

Nobody ever seems to remember that the DOE also allocated gas to gas stations on a per-station basis. This was complete madness, as it did so based on the previous year's usage patterns. Of course, patterns never repeat themselves very accurately, and the result was gluts in Florida and shortages on the left coast.

A gas station had to apply to the DOE to get gas, and write a paper justifying this. I know this because a friend bought a gas station. He couldn't get a DOE allocation because the gas station across the street filed an objection with the DOE that no gas was needed for the new owner. So his gas station sat with no gas for 6 months or so.

That's Carter's energy policy. Well meaning, but completely wrong.