The Texas Agriculture Department began publishing a list of gas stations with inaccurate fuel pumps on its website Tuesday, showing more than 100 that are short-changing drivers around the state.
As gas prices hover around $3 a gallon across Texas, 74 pumps shorted consumers by at least six tablespoons per five gallons, while 31 pumps doubled that shortage amount to 12 tablespoons per five gallons. That's according to a report covering the previous 60 days.
The department allows a variation of about six tablespoons per five gallons of gas.
Three Austin gas stations made the list. Inspectors found the pumps at a Murphy USA in Northeast Austin came up a little short. That's the same problem at Sunrise Mini-Mart on Metric Boulevard and at the Escarpment Exxon on William Cannon.
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Gas pump accuracy
Gas stations not compliant with
state regulations are now posted
online.
 
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The more people view the report, the better the chances they'll call in when they see something suspicious and be their own consumer watchdog.
"Every four years we have to go inspect the gas stations. However, if we receive a complaint from someone who's out there pumping gas and feels like they were shortchanged, and if we receive a call then we will immediately go out and service that inspection," Bryan Black of the Texas Department of Agriculture said.
About 92 percent of Texas gas stations are compliant since the state enacted stiffer penalties back in May.
