Bill prohibits gas price gouging
Gov. Tony Evers recently signed Emergency Order #170 prohibiting price gouging of gasoline and diesel. Due to increasing oil demand, limited global supply, and low refinery capacity, states across the nation have seen significant price increases for gasoline and diesel, including in Wisconsin. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the current national average price of gasoline is approximately $4.97. In Wisconsin, the current average is just below the national average at about $4.83.
“National inflation is causing the cost of everyday household goods and prices at the pump to go up, and Wisconsinites all across our state are struggling to keep up,” said Gov. Evers. “This emergency order will help prevent bad actors from taking advantage of Wisconsin drivers as they fill up the tank to get to work, school, supplies and resources for their businesses, or get their product to market.”
The order declares that a period of abnormal economic disruption exists in the state of Wisconsin and prohibits price gouging of gasoline and diesel until Dec. 1, 2022. Consumers are encouraged to contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Propost tection’s (DATCP) Bureau of Consumer Protection to file a complaint by visiting datcp.wi.gov or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
In addition to signing the emergency order, the governor renewed his call from March for the federal government to take action to suspend the federal gas tax. Gov. Evers also sent a letter calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive the federal reformulated gas requirements for six Wisconsin counties, including Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha, through the end of the year. It is anticipated that waiving the requirements could save consumers in these counties more than 30 cents per gallon with an estimated savings of nearly $100 over the next six months.
These actions come as Gov. Evers also sent a letter to congressional leadership earlier this month calling for the passage of S. 4217, the Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act, which recently advanced to the U.S. Senate floor. The Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act would increase transparency in petroleum market pricing and protect consumers from price manipulation in fuel markets.
