NEWS
Railroad commission issues statement on state’s gasoline supply
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Commissioner Ryan Sitton’s Statement Regarding the Status of Texas’ Gasoline Supply in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey Panic Buying
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AUSTIN – Today Commissioner Ryan Sitton released the following statement regarding the status of Texas’ gasoline supply in the wake of Hurricane Harvey panic buying:
“Texas’ energy infrastructure is recovering quickly from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Harvey. The industry and state and federal governments have worked expeditiously to ensure that citizens’ energy needs are met, primarily at the gas pump. As I’ve said since last week, unfortunately, hoarding and panic buying have placed unnecessary strains on gasoline supplies at pumps in certain pockets of Texas, but the situation continues to improve and will likely be resolved within the next day or two. As a reminder, with 230 million barrels of refined products in storage in the United States, we do not have a gasoline shortage but some areas have experienced outages at gas pumps due to exponentially higher demand than normal as people stockpile fuel.
Several Texas refineries have restarted although a few remain closed as assessments are completed. Pipeline infrastructure including the Magellan, Explorer and Colonial pipelines are all operational again. In response to the rush on gas stations, the industry has moved very rapidly to ensure gasoline gets to pumps. For example, Magellan has resumed delivering gas from its East Houston Terminal into the DFW and West Texas markets and was continuing to supply those areas from its reversed segment with refined products from Oklahoma refineries. Valero has fed additional supply into the DFW market from its Ardmore and McKee refineries and a key pipeline from the Corpus Christi refineries is transporting gasoline to the San Antonio and DFW areas. Other companies continue to have supply trucks working around the clock to get gasoline from terminals to local gas stations. Consumers should remember that the last few miles of the gasoline supply chain requires trucks to take the product from terminals to the pumps. This is not an instantaneous process. It takes time but they are making great progress at refueling stations across the state. We expect that most areas will see gas stations back in operation in the next 24 to 48 hours, with a few pockets around the state possibly extending beyond.
Governor Abbott has taken several steps to address gasoline supply chain issues including allowing out-of-state trucks to fill needs in Texas and the EPA has waived summer gasoline requirements for refiners which will make it easier to get refined products into pipelines quickly. The industry has brought oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford shale and Gulf Coast back online and most, if not all of that production, will be fully restored by weeks end.
Texans should remember that due to safety requirements, one must have a license to sell gasoline. To those buying large volumes of gasoline to turn around and sell at a premium, that is “black market” gasoline sales, and it is a violation of the law. It contributes to the gasoline panic, and I expect it will be fully prosecuted by authorities.
All of Texas is rightly focused on rebuilding the areas directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey and assisting our fellow citizens in need. One of the things every Texan can do to help is to fill up if you need to, but not to hoard fuel which is dangerous and hurts everyone else. This situation will be resolved this week if people purchase gas in a thoughtful and responsible manner.”
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The Nocona City Council will meet in a called session at 8 a.m. on Sept. 30 at city hall.
An executive session is on the agenda listed as consultation with the city attorney for personnel matters regarding an officer or employee. Any action would be taken back in open session.
In regular agenda items, the council will consider closing the 100 block of East Oak for a street dance during Art of the Song, plus temporary closure of streets for the homecoming parade and pep rally.
A resolution approving Ben Van Wingerden making enhancements to the downtown city park through landscaping, lighting, seating and an enclosed gazebo at no cost to the city will be reviewed.
Members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Sept. 28 in the courthouse annex.
The agenda opens with a report from members of the Montague Texas Extension Education Association on their activities this pat year. Jaxon Phipps also will be considered for appointment to the child welfare board.
An executive session is set for personnel matters related to the county jail. Any action would be back in open session.
Several budgetary items are on the agenda including a shortfall in the jail budget of $16,403.04 and a shortfall in the emergency management budget of $3,379.85. Line item budget adjustment for fiscal 2026 will be considered as the year comes to a close. The precinct four budget also will see an adjustment from machinery and equipment to personnel.
Other topics on Monday’s agenda will include: Order setting the term of the commissioner’s court; approval of the county clerk’s records’ management and records archive written plan for 2026-27 and notice of joint/general election for Nov. 3, along with agreements with the Cities of Bowie and Saint Jo and school districts in Forestburg and Gold-Burg to conduct their elections.
Five agreements will be offered: Interlocal participation agreement between the county and Texas Association of Counties CIRA program; licensing addendum between Kologik and the sheriff’s office, approve Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Security addendum between Kologik and the sheriff’s office; interlocal agreement between the Clay County Sheriff’s office and the county sheriff for the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Access; and management control agreement between the sheriff’s office and Jessica Moster regarding the Texas Department of Public Safety and FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems.
The deadline to register in time to vote in the Nov. 3 elections is Oct. 5 and all applications must be received in the election’s office no later than 5 p.m. that day.
A voter can go online to the Texas Secretary of State’s office to check on your registration to make sure it is valid and up to day. To register complete an online voter registration application that is on the SOS webpage or the county elections page at co.montague.tx.us. After your fill in the required information, print, sign and mail or hand deliver it to the county election’s office in the courthouse annex at Montague.
Changes to your voter registration such as a new address can be done online.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
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