Since the tariffs went into place, gas stations across the state have seen a spike in price. Yesterday Corpus Christi's average was $3.109⁄10. Today reports show that most stations in the city spiked to $3.559⁄10. The city's main importer of fuel BIG-TEXAN-OIL.Co had one of their spokespeople speak out to us about the spike. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. Or so my grandma told me. We understand that Governor Rorry is trying his best to get air travel back to the state, but the limited visibility from the fog puts us between a rock and a hard place. The Tucker's Trucker's Union (TTU) asked for a raise in pay, or they'll go on strike. TTU is our main distributer. If they stop shipments, all of Texas's gas will dry up."
Our news van (a 1991 Ford E-250) took $75.95 to fill at $3.589⁄10 a gallon. Compared to last week when it took $59.17 to fill at $3.099⁄10 a gallon. We interviewed a local resident of Corpus Cristi Nathaniel "Nate" who drives a Mike Deere Power Wheels. "These gas prices are too high that I can't even get my Happy Meal chicken nugget combo." The vehicle in question takes only 2 gallons of diesel fuel. At the current price of diesel, $4.659⁄10, it costs him just under $9 to fill up his tank. "My momma only gives me $10 a week for school lunch. I can't pay for my chicken nuggets no more!"
Citizens all over the state are enraged due to the extreme fuel price diversity. Areas near oil refineries, such as Texas City have hit an all-time low in gas prices, with reported prices being as low as $0.839⁄10 because of the extreme ramp in production. But outside of these refinery areas, gas prices spike to highs of $4.059⁄10. Diesel fuel however has not seen this diversity in price. State wide it is unanimously high! Most stations are selling as low as $4.359⁄10, or as high as $5.669⁄10, allegedly reported in Kermit TX.
Governor Rorry spoke out to the press this mourning, about these prices. "I can no longer afford to fuel my own vehicle. Diesel is too darn expensive, and I am not giving up on my beloved American-built Hummer! I am stating curfews state wide. NO ONE! Is to leave their homes between the hours of 1900, and 0700. This will hopefully cut down on fuel usage."
Almost immediately Governor Rorry received pushback from the public. Protests have now started in major cities fighting for the curfew to be lifted, and gas prices state-wide went up five cents after his speech. On the other hand, others believe that the curfew has been put in place to keep people calm and under control as the fog doesn't appear to be receding.