Gas Gouging

Stations agree to make restitution for hurricane prices

We all remember how thousands of South Texas residents had to flee north last year during Hurricane Harvey.

It was a tragedy. There were lives lost. And thousands of survivors saw their earthly possessions—house, furniture, precious memories—destroyed by nature’s carnage.

The hearts of most in the state— indeed the nation—went out to these people. We saw the suffering and grieved with them.

But a few others saw opportunity. The chance to make a quick buck. And they took it.

Turned out to be a bad move. Nearly 50 gas stations—most in North Texas—have been ordered to repay a collective $166,592 in civil restitution to customers for charging “exorbitant or excessive prices for gasoline” during Hurricane Harvey, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office.

Included in the settlement were 13 stations in Dallas, 12 in Fort Worth, four in Garland and stations in Richardson, Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Addison and other cities.

According to Paxton’s office, all the stations engaged in “gouging” by charging in excess of $3.99 per gallon. One reportedly charged as much as $8.99 a gallon.

“At the outset of Harvey, I made it clear that my office would not tolerate price gouging of Texans by anyone looking to profit from the hurricane,” Paxton said in a prepared statement released Thursday. “The response to Hurricane Harvey showed the incredible generosity of Texans. These settlements should teach the few who take advantage of their fellow residents to follow the law in the future.”

Hopefully this will be a lesson to all. Unfortunately, though, where money is concerned, some folks just can’t see anything but green. Thanks to the AG’s office for stepping in.