Gilbert, Staples Address Gas Pump Inspections

TYLER — The Democratic challenger in the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner is charging that incumbent Todd Staples is derelict on the issue of gas pump inspections. But Staples is challenging the allegation. At a news conference Monday, Hank Gilbert of Whitehouse (pictured) said Staples has let too many stations fall through the cracks. The news conference was held Monday at an abandoned gas station on Loop 323. According to Gilbert, “We’re finding routinely 20-40% of the stations that are out of compliance.”

KETK-TV reports as Gilbert spoke to the press, an inspector pulled up and began checking the pumps at that very station. “If you’ll look at the station behind me,” Gilbert told reporters, “it looks like the Texas Department of Agriculture is doing their inspection on those pumps. Because, when we did our Dallas Morning News interview Friday, I highlighted a sticker off of that gas station.”

According to Gilbert, The result of a lax inspection regime is possible overcharging, a problem found in almost 40% the gas pumps in the state between 2007 and now. “We have seen reports and instances filed in particular stations in particular pumps, where people were getting gouged by 12-14 cents a gallon.” He said in Smith County, nearly half were found out of compliance in that period. And how many were referred for enforcement? Only 11%, according to Gilbert. And for that, he blames politicians.

Late Tuesday, the Ag Department released a response to what it terms “recent misleading and inaccurate statistics” regarding TDA consumer protection activities. According to a department news release:

· Since Jan. 1, 2007, TDA inspections have found that 94% of fuel pumps inspected in Texas are accurate. During this same period, TDA’s oversight of ensuring accuracy within the state’s Weights and Measures program has resulted in 379,922 fuel pump inspections statewide.

· During this same time period, the compliance rate for Smith County fuel pumps inspected was also 94%, with 3,675 fuel pumps inspected.

· The unregistered Smith County fuel operator identified in the media this week was found with 6 fuel pumps being accurate; 4 pumps dispensing too much fuel; 1 pump dispensing too little fuel; 4 pumps malfunctioning prior to dispensing fuel; and 11 pumps not in operation. The inaccurate pumps have been shut down, the company is now registered, and further enforcement is pending final investigation.

· Since Jan. 1, 2007, the average amount of time between inspections of registered fuel pumps in Texas has been 2.6 years.

· Since 2007, TDA has quadrupled fines for violations of fuel pumps.

· TDA posts violators on http://www.texasagriculture.gov — the agency website.

· TDA encourages the public to report concerns regarding fuel pumps by calling the 1-800-TELL-TDA hotline.