KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Pilot Travel Centers CEO Jimmy Haslam says operations are normal at Pilot stores in the Knoxville area despite reported gas shortages.
In a release, Haslam said, "All Pilot travel centers and convenience stores in the Knoxville area are operating normally and have fuel supplies for customers."
He said, "Pilot does not comment on its pricing philosophy but we are continuing to do all we can to keep an adequate supply of fuel available."
AAA spokesman Don Lindsay encourages consumers not to panic or make a run on gas.
Some gas stations in Knoxville have put a limit on the amount of gas customers can buy. Volunteer TV News is getting reports that some gas stations are limiting fuel purchases to $10, and some are setting a 10 gallon limit.
Lines are being reported at many gas stations in and around Knoxville.
The next major gasoline shipment is expected in Knoxville Tuesday.
Pilot released the following statement Friday afternoon:
As you know, fuel supplies and prices across the country are being impacted because power outages caused by Hurricane Gustav are keeping refineries closed on the Gulf Coast. There is simply a shortage of fuel to push into the pipelines.
The fuel supply situation for Pilot in Knoxville has not changed since yesterday. We have fuel right now, but we are selling at about twice the normal rate.
Over the next few days, some pipeline deliveries are expected, but based on the rate of sales we will need additional supplies. Pilot is working extremely hard to bring in additional supply to Knoxville from other areas we serve, utilizing portions of our 300-truck fleet.
As Hurricane Ike hits the Gulf Coast as expected, history shows us that we can anticipate further disruptions in supply and impacts on the price of fuel for two to three weeks and then the market will recover as refiners return to production and imports arrive from overseas.
Pilot does not discuss price as a matter of policy. However, I can tell you that we are seeing rapid increases in fuel prices on the spot market. The price per gallon there after taxes is at $5. In cities such as Chicago, the price is already at more than $5 per gallon.
Pilot is doing everything it can to keep fuel available and flowing to our customers in the short term, and we are constantly monitoring the supply situation. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this situation.
Let us know what you're seeing. What are the gas prices like where you are? Got a picture of the lines forming at stations in East Tennessee? Submit your photos to VolzEYE.com and tell us what gas prices you've found by going to our iWitness section.
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