Baytown Gas Station Fined $50K for Price Gouging During Beryl

Source: A customer purchased gas from an Exxon gas station on March 22, 2006 in Houston, TX. (Benjamin Lowy/Reportage by Getty Images)

BAYTOWN — The owner of a Baytown gas station will have to pay a hefty $50,000 fine after being accused of price gouging during Hurricane Beryl in July.

The Harris County Attorney’s Office announced a lawsuit against the Super Stop on North Main Street Tuesday, accusing the business of raising prices by 40% compared to prices set prior to the storm. The owners agreed to paying the $50,000 fine as they were unable to establish a valid reason for the price hike during Beryl, according to a statement released by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee,

Gas Station Sued For Price Gouging During Hurricane Beryl To Pay $50,000 Penalty. See attached release. https://t.co/RVBs0rmYyv pic.twitter.com/IpYn8c24ps

— Harris County Attorney’s Office (@HarrisCountyAO) October 8, 2024

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In addition to the fine, the business agreed to a cease and desist from committing price gouging during future emergency situations.

“Harris County won’t tolerate businesses taking advantage of residents in times of crisis,” Menefee said in a statement. “We’re holding companies accountable. If you try to exploit a natural disaster to mark up your profits on the backs of Harris County residents, we will find out. And it’s going to cost you.”

Cease-and-desist orders warning against price gouging went out to businesses across Harris Country prior to Beryl, which Super Stop chose to ignore. For that reason, Menefee’s office decided to take action against the business, according to ABC 13.

Related: How You Can Prepare for Hurricane Season

Related: Lawsuit: Two Houston-Area Gas Stations Accused of Price Gouging After Hurricane Beryl

Baytown’s Super Stop was not the only business to violate the orders, as the Harris County Attorney’s Office took action against a real estate chapter operating a Shell gas station off the West Loop in Bellaire in August. The business was accused of raising prices by 41% compared to pre-storm prices.

According to Menefee, his office received as many as 250 complaints of price gouging during and after Beryl.

If you come across apparent price gouging, the Harris County Attorney’s Office recommends following these steps: Take photographs and hold on to your receipts and submit a complaint per the procedure below:

• Name and full address of the business against whom you are filing a complaint
• Date that you purchased or attempted to purchase an item from the business
• Brand and type of item you purchased or attempted to purchase
• Price of the item you purchased or attempted to purchase
• The name(s) of individual(s) you spoke with at the business
• Receipt or picture of item and price if available