Gasoline shortages in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy highlighted pre-existing problems in the northeastern U.S. supply chain, analysts say. Four days after the storm, East Coast refineries were operating at 58.5% of capacity, compared with 81% before the storm, according to the Energy Information Administration. "The problem we see in the Northeast emphasizes the importance of having more refining capacity in other parts of the country besides the Gulf Coast," said Gregg Laskoski of GasBuddy.