Thank you for putting this malicious rumor to bed! My co-workers were on their way out of the door when I looked it up on your website and low and behold what I had been saying all along was in print!

Funny how easily people can be misled by a rumor.

This rumor was being broadcast as an announcement on local DC radio station(s) 95.9

It does appear that some local gas stations here in Charles County are either closed down now, or will be closing down soon. I spoke to someone at the local Saafeway (which has a gas station) who told me that there was the distinct possibility that their Corporate Office could shut down the stations, based on what other stations are doing.

I know it's not the State shutting them down, but it appears that some station are shutting down nontheless.

I am so releived the this is just a rumor. I work at a credit union and get off todsy at 5:30pm. One of my well known members came in and told me that I should go and get my gas before all the stations are shut down - this startled me, but I felt so much better when I heard on the radio that they were not being shut down. I just had to do some of my own research just to assure myself. :)

There were similar rumors in North Carolina yesterday.

I just filled up at a Virginia station. They raised the price 10 cents while I was standing there. They had raised it 10 cents yesterday and 20 cents the day before, the clerk said.

Gas stations in the Laurel-Greenbelt-Beltsville-College Park area ARE running out of gas however. I've seen three signs so far. I'm amazed the price hasn't been driven up past 3.50 yet.

I think this is a time where the old axiom, "Trust, but verify", works best.

"A good way to assess outrageous claims is to consider whether any government in its right mind would do something so drastic without blasting it all over the radio and television."

That sounds almost like critical thinking. You're talking about a nation of people who believed that recycling just the pop-top of a can would raise money for dialysis, that delaying gas purchases for a day would lower gas prices, and that there's a prince in Nigeria who wants to send you money.

My wife reported that a similar rumor -- that VA Governor Warner was closing all gas stations at 2:30 today -- wa sspreading like wildfire at the Shenandoah County Fair this afternoon.

I was able to check the Governor's website and ensure folks it was false.

But the popular myth, like most such myths, does reflect the underlying reality that our daily lives are, more than usual, at the mercy of the powers that be. Of course, those powers are not elected officials. We should be so lucky as to have forces that are accountable in charge of our energy fate.

"A good way to assess outrageous claims is to consider whether any government in its right mind would do something so drastic without blasting it all over the radio and television."

wouldn't it be easier to just not be a dumbass??

They say they're not running out of gas, yet half the stations I drove by today had pumps shut down. I'm assuming it's due to the unordinarily large amount of people trying to stock pile due to the rumors.

I'm glad that the Governor crushed this rumor quickly and soundly. The version I heard was that the gas stations on 95 would have no gas this weekend. This is one more reason, in addition to the sound fiscal policies, excellent management style, and proven track record of job creations and business friendly administration, to re-elect the most competent Governor in Maryland's history...besides John Carroll.