TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Ike Sends Up Gas Prices In Some Places

Gary Pinnell/Highlands Today

Gas prices went to $4.79 over the weekend at the Citgo station at U.S. 98 and U.S. 27 in Sebring.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Highlands Today staff and wire reports

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

SEBRING - This week, before Hurricane Ike struck Galveston and Houston, gas prices in Avon Park reached as low as $3.53. On the Saturday morning after Ike, nearly all Sebring stations were charging $3.95 or more.

At Raceway, the price for unleaded started the day at $3.71, but by 11 a.m., it was up to $3.99. And there was no unleaded in the convenience store tanks. Likewise the Circle K at U.S. 98 and U.S. 27 was $3.71 for unleaded, but the only gas available was premium grade, at $3.95.

Every lane was busy with motorists topping off.

Drivers around the South rushed to fill their gas tanks Friday as prices skyrocketed after Gulf Coast refineries shut down in preparation for Hurricane Ike. One regional chain urged patrons to limit themselves to 10 gallons and officials in some states tried to head off a run on gas by threatening to prosecute stations that gouge consumers.

"We are encouraging motorists to exercise some restraint this weekend," said AAA Carolinas spokeswoman Carol Gifford. "The run on gas is creating a crisis before there is a crisis."

Customers in western North Carolina reported gas selling for $5.99 a gallon and frustrated drivers tried to find low prices.

"I just feel these oil companies can pretty well do whatever they want to do," said C.K. Baker, 55, of Louisville, Ky., as he bought gas at a suburban station.

As refineries closed, governors in North Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas signed orders or made declarations allowing their attorneys general to enforce anti-gouging laws. Officials in Mississippi said they would require merchants to justify questionable increases.

In South Carolina - where gas prices increased about 20 cents a gallon on average Friday - Attorney General Henry McMaster said gas stations that price gouge would face criminal prosecution. He said each case would be investigated separately to see whether prices were raised to an "unconscionable" level.

Michael Fields, executive director of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association, said retailers and wholesalers also faced higher prices and limits on how much gas they will get. With the announcement of the price-gouging rules, his group was urging members to keep good records.

Exxon Mobil Corp., Valero Energy Corp., ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil Co. were among the companies that stopped refinery operations on the Texas coast, primarily in the Houston area. The area accounts for about 20 percent of U.S. refining capacity.

North Carolina Republican Congressman Robin Hayes called for a federal investigation into some prices rising more than $1 per gallon in a day.

"I understand there is a substantial hurricane in a sensitive area of the country, but this dramatic spike in gas prices is breathtaking," he said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT