News Release
Friday, September 12, 2008 - 2:57 PM EDT
State to crack down on fuel, building
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear today signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency aimed at preventing price gouging for gasoline and building materials in advance of Hurricane Ike.
Gas prices at many Louisville retailers today jumped as much as 20 cents per gallon on reports that some oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have shut down in anticipation of the hurricane.
According to the AAA Web site, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Louisville is $3.92
“I am outraged by the voracious practices of price gouging we are seeking,” Beshear said in a news release. “Today, I have taken an extraordinary step to protect the consumers of the commonwealth from these predators.”
The executive order gives Kentucky attorney general Jack Conway the authority to investigate and prosecute retailers who have been found to excessively inflate the prices they charge for fuel and building supplies.
Conway’s office has been inundated with calls from consumers reporting alleged price gouging, the governor’s office said in the release.
Conway’s office currently is investigating fuel wholesalers who supply gasoline to Louisville retailers. A preliminary investigation conducted by Beshear’s and Conway’s offices showed that the largest markup on fuel is found at the wholesale level.
Results of Conway’s investigation are expected to be announced this fall.
The governor’s office urged consumers who believe they have experienced an instance of price gouging to contact them at gaspricecomplaints@ag.ky.gov.
It does sound good. I wish The Land of Enchantment would do the same.
ReplyDeleteWish that would happen every place we'll be driving through on vacation.
ReplyDeleteNothing like kicking people when they are down! Disgusting.
ReplyDeletethis is just asinine.
ReplyDelete