After every natural disaster, companies make quite a show of donating all kinds of supplies for relief efforts. But, conspicuously, gas companies invariably fail to participate in this outpouring of charity.
This is why I argued in my September 11 commentary (under sub-heading “Free Gas”) that political leaders should have executive authority to require gas companies to donate fuel for a limited period. Sure enough, here in part is why:
Non-profit group HeadKnowles has raised more than $733,000 [but] the bulk of the money is being spent on fuel for the planes and helicopters moving relief supplies in and out of Abaco and Grand Bahama, the two islands hardest hit by Hurricane Dorian. …
The other co-founder of HeadKnowles, Lia Head, announced her departure from the organization this week, sparking concerns about the organization as a whole.
(The Nassau Guardian, September 19, 2019)
Of course, relief organizations are notorious for infighting. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that irreconcilable differences caused a split between Head and Knowles.
But the real story is that, while other businesses are donating supplies for relief efforts, gas companies are demanding payment. This was thrown into stark relief when the national airline, BahamasAir, attempted to charge evacuees for flights from Abaco.
Because everyone fairly accused it of profiteering that smacks of extortion, if not treason. It apologized (for the “misunderstanding”) and stopped demanding payment. Yet you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone, besides me, who is accusing gas companies of similar profiteering for charging the airline for the fuel to make those flights.
Accordingly, relief organizations spend much (if not the “bulk”) of your cash donations on fuel. This, despite the fact that gas companies are so profitable, they are better positioned to donate fuel for relief efforts than any other company is to donate whatever it normally sells.
Related commentaries:
Hurricane Dorian donations…