After Hurricane Beryl struck Southeast Texas, two Shell gas stations in the Houston area are facing lawsuits for allegedly engaging in price gouging. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee revealed that his office has received over 250 complaints regarding this issue.
According to Menefee, the lawsuits target two Shell stations owned by different companies that drastically increased their prices following the hurricane. One of the stations, located in Bellaire, saw a surge in regular unleaded prices from $3.03 per gallon before Beryl to $3.79 and $4.29 per gallon afterward, marking increases of 25% and 41%. The lawsuit has been filed against BTCM Aviation LLC, Real Estate Chapter Texas LLC, and Houston Ventures LLC.
Similarly, the Shell station in Baytown experienced a significant price hike, with premium gas prices jumping from $3.80 to $5.49 per gallon after the hurricane, representing a 44% increase. A lawsuit has been filed against A2S PetroTech LLC in this case.
Despite receiving numerous complaints, Menefee stated that many businesses complied with cease and desist requests related to price gouging. However, the companies involved in these lawsuits refused to provide justification for their exorbitant price increases.
The Harris County Attorney’s Office is actively investigating price gouging complaints and urges residents to report any suspicious instances during declared disasters. Menefee emphasized his commitment to protecting consumers from exploitation during crises and warned that action would be taken against any individuals or businesses trying to take advantage of the community.
To report price gouging or seek more information, visit the Harris County Attorney’s Office website at cao.harriscountytx.gov.
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