HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Two Houston-area gas stations face lawsuits for alleged price gouging after Hurricane Beryl, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced on Monday.
The lawsuit accuses two Shell stations operated by different companies of dramatic price increases after the hurricane slammed Southeast Texas on July 8.
Shell station in Bellaire
- 5910 W. Loop S. near Fournace Place
- Before Beryl: $3.03 a gallon for regular unleaded
- After Beryl: $3.79 and $4.29 a gallon for regular unleaded, representing increases of 25% and 41%
- Lawsuit filed against BTCM Aviation LLC, Real Estate Chapter Texas LLC and Houston Ventures LLC
Shell station in Baytown
- 5003 N. Main Street near East Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Road
- Before Beryl: $3.80 a gallon for premium
- After Beryl: $5.49 a gallon for premium, a 44% markup
- Lawsuit filed against A2S PetroTech LLC
Menefee said his office received over 250 complaints of price gouging after Beryl.
"My office worked tirelessly to respond to the flood of price gouging complaints we received during this crisis," Menefee said. “Many times, businesses complied with cease and desist requests."
Menefee said the companies being sued "refused to provide information justifying their egregious price increase."
HCAO continues to investigate price gouging complaints and urges residents to keep receipts and report any suspected instances of price gouging during declared disasters.
"I will continue to protect Harris County consumers from those who would exploit a disaster for profit," Menefee said in a statement. "Let this serve as a clear warning for the future: we will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and we will take action against anyone trying to take advantage of our community."
For more information or to report price gouging, visit the Harris County Attorney's Office website at cao.harriscountytx.gov.