Gov. Mark Sanford declined Thursday to declare a gasoline emergency - the legal step necessary for the S.C. attorney general's office and local law-enforcement authorities to prosecute gasoline retailers for price gouging. Sanford's refusal to take that step will disappoint local folks who are furious - furious - that gas and diesel prices jumped as much as 80 cents per gallon after Hurricane Katrina damaged much of Louisiana's refining and gasoline-delivery infrastructure this week.

The governor, however, was right to desist from invoking the price-gouging law - which also can apply to lodging, food and other necessities that always are in short supply when a tropical storm hits. Some local gas station owners no doubt jacked up their retail prices on gas and diesel supplies delivered wholesale at pre-Katrina prices. But other station owners raised prices to extend the limited supplies they have - a valid motive. And still others paid higher prices for recent wholesale deliveries and needed to raise their retail prices to avoid operating in the red.

Readers need to accept that the gasoline situation is going to be dire for the next month. It will take at least that long for workers to get refineries back on line, supply electricity to pipelines and clear the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico for crude oil deliveries.

The best step for readers to take, even as they fume about high prices, is to cut back on driving to conserve the gas they have - and resist the temptation to top up their tanks every day or so. Such herd behavior will only drive prices higher. If we remain calm and use only the gasoline we need, we can get through this shortfall.