Okay, I understand that Hurricane Ike puts pressure on the oil companies with refineries being shut down temporary, or chances of being shut down (I'm still not clear of whether they were or not yet)... however, I think making anywhere from .40 - over $2.00 increases within 24 hours or less (!) fits the "price-gouging" theory.




(taken in Troy, NC on September 12, 2008)

Update:

A report from our local news at 10pm tonight stated that several gas stations did indeed run out of gas today, and spokespersons for the two oil pipelines that supply gas to the Piedmont Triad said they are operating on a reduced rate. Apparently the Colonial Pipeline runs from Houston through the Southeast U.S., into Greensboro, N.C. and up the East Coast. The Plantation Pipeline runs from Louisiana runs through Greensboro and north into Virginia.

On another note, (at no surprise really), a large portion of Texas (where the storm will actually hit (!), is staying steady with gas prices around 3.50 - 3.65