As Ike heads toward refineries, some stations impose limits on gas

As Ike heads toward refineries, some stations impose limits on gas

The threat of Hurricane Ike on the oil refineries along the Gulf Coast have sent some gas prices spiking and have some stations asking customers to limit their purchases on Thursday.

 Signs on the pumps outside area Kangaroo stations said;

"Due to the limited gas supply, we ask that our customers limit their gasoline purchase to

10 gallons per transaction. This request will allow us to provide gasoline for all of our valued customers during this time of limited supply in the Southeastern United States."

Kangaroo Express is the primary banner of The Pantry Inc., based in Sanford, North Carolina. The Pantry operates more than 1,600 stores in 11 states.

Wholesale prices for gas have jumped dramatically and pump prices are also on the rise especially with what officials call "panic-buying" as the fear of a shortage in fuel supplies spread with Ike’s potential to disrupt fuel supplies at the least for a short time.

Refineries along the upper Texas Gulf Coast account for about one-fifth of the nation’s refining capacity. Exxon Mobil’s refinery outside Houston is the nation’s largest.

"We’re encouraging the public to report to us any instances of price gouging that they come across," said Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson.

Under Florida law, it is unlawful to charge exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators or lumber, following the declaration of an

emergency, unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by retailers.

Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.

"We’re asking consumers to come forward and let us know if any retailers have exploited our citizens or are profiteering from the approaching storm," Bronson said. "This activity is not only reprehensible, it’s illegal."

Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging has occurred or is occurring to report it at once to his department’s toll-free hotline - 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352).