(WBAP/KLIF) – The Texas Railroad Commissioner says public panic is causing some North Texas gas stations to run low on fuel.
Commissioner Ryan Sitton said there is no gas shortage in Texas and that there are plenty of tankers on the road. He attributed word of mouth and reports of refineries being shut down to people feeling a need to rush and fill up their gas tanks.
“Then there was social media,” said Sitton. “It’s you better get gas now and then a public panic. There’s plenty of gas out there.”
A number of local gas stations are being inundated with cars fueling up. Sitton said if you’re tank isn’t low there’s no need to get gas now.
“I think as people realize that the level of concern is outstripping the level of issue then things will be able to reset,” said Sitton.
Officials expect most gas stations in North Texas to be fully supplied in a day or two as long as people don’t drain the pumps by the masses.
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a warning to gas stations against any attempt to take advantage of Texas consumers by fraudulent action in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The Consumer Protection Division of the attorney generals office received more than 500 complaints today, many of which involve allegations of high fuel prices in Dallas, including amounts ranging from $6-$8 dollars per gallon.
Texas law protects consumers from fraud in Dallas and other parts of Texas outside of the governors declared disaster areas, said Marc Rylander, communications director for the attorney generals office. If Dallas consumers are victims of fraud by gas stations, we urge them to contact our agencys consumer protection hotline so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.
Victims of fraud can report it immediately by calling the attorney generals Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508.
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