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tlanta Business Chronicle - 6:40 PM EDT Wednesday
Gov. Perdue acts to stop gas price gouging
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue late Wednesday enacted a state law that prevents retailers from selling gas at an unreasonable or egregious price.
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The law does not prevent price increases that accurately reflect an increase in the cost of the goods or services to the retailer, an increase in the cost of transporting the goods or services into the area, or an increase due to the market forces of supply and demand.
The Governor's Office said it has received today credible evidence that price gouging has occurred in parts of the state. "We will not tolerate the exploitation of Georgia consumers as we recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina," said Perdue. "Violators of this price gouging statute will be punished to the fullest extent possible."
Gasoline prices have broken the $3 mark and come close to $4 a gallon at some metro Atlanta gas stations on Aug. 31, according to www.atlantagasprices.com.
At a press conference this afternoon, Perdue said the fuel shortage facing Georgians is a short-term problem. He also reported Alpharetta-based Colonial Pipeline, the largest pipeline distributing fuel into Georgia, expects to be operational again by Labor Day weekend.
Perdue said he asked the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) to lift truck driving restrictions, thereby allowing deliveries 24 hours a day. DOT has approved the request, allowing fuel to be more easily distributed throughout the state.
Late Aug. 30, the state waived gasoline regulations to help minimize gas price escalation and the supply issues associated with Hurricane Katrina. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) waived state requirements for higher additive gasoline required during the summer months until Sept. 15. Waiving the requirement will allow gasoline suppliers to bring available gasoline into Georgia to help alleviate shortages and keep prices to a minimum.
But prices are rising today. The Chevron at Fairview Road in Stockbridge was charging $3.78 a gallon this afternoon. The Hot Spot on Greenville Street in Newnan was charging $3.25. Many metro stations were charging $2.99 a gallon.
The lowest prices in metro Atlanta hovered around $2.45 a gallon.
Perdue asked drivers not to top off their gas tanks, and avoid buying gasoline until their gasoline tanks are low.
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