Gas sales temporarily stopped at 15 Triangle stations. Here's where and why
State inspectors found issues with gas pumps at 15 Triangle stations, pausing sales to help protect consumers. Inspectors from the Standards Division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services visited dozens of stations across the Triangle area between Aug. 19 and Oct. 31, records obtained by The News & Observer show. Many of the pumps had no problems, but at a handful of stations in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties, inspectors found issues that could harm consumers. When that happens, inspectors “tag” pumps, meaning they are taken out of service until issues are resolved. Some of the inspections were routine, but visits to 19 stations were prompted by consumer complaints. Chad Parker, measurement manager with the Standards Division, previously told me that complaints tick up when gas prices rise. Prices have started to drop over the past month, after the law that paused the state’s collection of the motor fuels tax went into effect in early October. But in the months leading up to that, since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, gas has been expensive. Average prices for a gallon of regular gas in North Carolina increased from $3.72 Aug. 19 to $4.15 Sept. 19, before dropping to
