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.
As a result of taking down refineries, Sitton said in the interview the state has seen a slight decrease in production.
However, he said there is no shortage, as there are more than 100 million barrels of gas stored in the U.S.
Distributing the gasoline is where the problem lies, as gasoline is transported via 18-wheeler trucks to gas stations across the state.
Those trucks obtain gas at distribution terminals, which receive the fuel from refineries via pipeline or train. Sitton said two pipelines were shut down due to the hurricane.
But rumors of potential shortages have circulated through social media and stoked panic across the state. From Dallas to San Antonio and even in Hays County, residents have rushed out to gas stations to purchase gas, leading to frustration on the part of both officials and other consumers.
Sitton said residents should avoid rushing to gas stations to fill up and should only obtain gas if necessary. He said resupplying specific gas stations is dependent on the supply network the station is under. He said some gas stations could possibly take a few days before they are refilled.
“As pipelines get back in shape, people will realize this isn’t as big an issue as it is today,” Sitton said. “I feel this issue is going to stem.”
Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, also issued a warning to Texas gas stations Thursday after more than 500 complaints of price gouging were made. According to a release, many of the price gouging complaints stemmed from the Dallas area, where gas stations where reportedly charging $6 to $8 per gallon.
