PUMP PATROL: Where's The Cheapest Gas?
UPDATES: Latest Info From School District

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Each day, the Orange County School District fuels up 1,100 buses, which carry 73,000 students to and from school. But, effective immediately, the district has cancelled transportation to field trips, after-school and weekend activities.

An announcement Wednesday from superintendent Ron Blocker said a disruption in the school district's diesel fuel supply could leave parents with the responsibility of transportation as soon as next week. Thursday, the district announced it did have enough to get through the week.

"We've had scheduled deliveries cancelled by our contractor," said Blocker.

With hundreds of oil rigs disabled in the Gulf of Mexico and at least eight major refineries underwater, districts across Central Florida have begun rationing their diesel. But none is sounding a louder alarm than Orange County.

The district's current gas supply is critical. Its storage tanks hold 80,000 gallons, but only 4,000-5,000 gallons currently remain. Some school bus drivers have even been cleared to pump at retail gas stations at the cost of 50-70 percent more than the district's negotiated rate with their supplier.

"This is an inconvenience," Blocker said. "If that bothers you, it could be worse. We could be in Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi," said Blocker.

Already, Orange County has heard of similar problems from school districts in Seminole, Osceola, Hillsborough, and Polk.