Rumors of gas shortage cause panic

Frantic drivers squeezed and honked their way to gas stations across Texas this week after a rumored gasoline shortage led to statewide panic and even reports of price gouging.

But, according to state officials, the problem wasn’t a shortage of fuel, but distribution, which has been affected by Hurricane Harvey.

In an interview with the Texas Tribune Aug. 30, Ryan Sitton, commissioner of the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates gas and oil in the state, said 15 fuel refineries in the Gulf Coast area were taken down, or are operating at a reduced capacity, due to Harvey.