Governor: Md. 'Not In Gas Crisis'

BALTIMORE -- Hurricane Katrina has forced prices at the pump in many areas to skyrocket and supply to become scarce at some stations.

Rumors have circulated that all gas stations in the state will close at certain times of the day. State officials have confirmed that this rumor is entirely untrue.

WBAL-TV 11 News has received calls throughout the afternoon from viewers who have heard the rumor. It's unclear as to where the rumor may have started.

This has prompted Gov. Bob Ehrlich to issue a statement Friday advising Marylanders to ignore the rumor about gas stations closing, as follows:

Governor's Statement

"Marylanders can ignore the rumor that the state is closing down gas stations today, or any other day. The rumor is absolutely and entirely untrue.
"Marylanders should continue to lead their every day lives, while being mindful to conserve energy when appropriate. We are already taking the precautionary steps to help ensure every Marylander has access to adequate supplies of gasoline.
"Again, continue leading your everyday lives, conserve energy when appropriate, and enjoy the holiday weekend."

The governor held a press conference at the State House at about 5:15 p.m., saying: "That is simply not the case. In fact, it's just the opposite. Our two pipelines that we're dependant on are now at 60 to 80 percent capacity, and that's good news for Maryland. That places us in marginally better situations than other states, such as Virginia and North Carolina."

WBAL-TV 11 News reported earlier in the week that the state attorney general's office is investigating reports of price gouging throughout the state. Federal officials have reported receiving more than 5,000 reports of price gouging.

After Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, gas prices nationwide jumped by as much as 50 cents per gallon. In Maryland, prices jumped by as much as a 25 cents within a five-hour period.

Get Gas Or Not?

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported that Baltimore City police officers have responded to many gas stations to control crowds.

At the location where Collins stood in northwest Baltimore, 11 News found a line that stretched for blocks down Druid Park Drive. As a result, tempers flared as drivers jockeyed for position.

Some customers at a Shell station in northwest Baltimore, hoping to take advantage of its low prices, found disappointment Friday morning. WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Melissa Carlson reported the gas station exhausted its supply of gas and awaits a new shipment.

"It's a terrible inconvenience because we're coming to get gas and now we need to find somewhere else. It's terrible, really, really terrible," said Maglly Chinchilla, a customer.

The Bush administration announced earlier in the day that it expects to augment the nation's stockpile by tapping international petroleum reserves.

Still, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Ragina Averella suggested that drivers not allow their gas tanks to dip too low.

"We are not alarmed at this point, but we certainly recognize that possibility, which is why we're really but urging people to conserve," she said.

There's no word yet on whether the federal Environmental Protection Agency will grant Gov. Bob Ehrlich's request to temporarily waive the requirement for reformulated gasoline.

The governor said it's a necessary precaution to ensure an adequate supply of gasoline in the coming weeks. Reformulated gasoline has additives that reduce smog.

AAA: Gas Prices Will Deter Would-Be Travelers

Rising gasoline prices have some in the region rethinking their Labor Day weekend travel plans.

SkyTeam 11 reported finding at least one Baltimore gas station had raised the price for high octane gas to $7.03.

Check: Where Can You Find Low Gas Prices?

AAA Mid-Atlantic said it now doubts that its earlier forecast for holiday travel will hold up. A spokeswoman said the hurricane, and this week's soaring prices at the pumps, will likely deter some travelers.

Average gasoline prices are about 85 cents a gallon higher than they were at this time last year.

Before the storm, AAA predicted 550,000 motorists in the region would travel 50 miles or more for the long weekend. That number was already lower than last year, in part because more school districts have been opening before Labor Day.

Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest news updates.