Georgia News(Week 9) - "Gas gougers cited"

15 gas stations are being cited for abusing comsumer's rights following Hurricane Katrina, according to a recent article. Many gas station owners settled on fines up to and including $10,000. Gov. Sonny Purdue, according to the article, "signed an executive order Aug. 31 promising to punish retailers who capitalized on fears of a hurricane-related gas shortage." After Katrina, many consumers complained about the rise in gas prices, with some prices going as high as even $5 or $6 a gallon. 12 of the 15 gas stations in question, according to the article, are located in "Atlanta or its close-in suburbs." The aforementioned executive order, once signed, prevented gas stations from charging more than a wholesale price for their fuel. Many however, as the article mentions, feel the blame should be placed on higher powers, as quoted: "ask the governor to take it a step further and look at the oil companies." Gas station managers, on the other hand, find the fines unfair as many owners, like Akber Lassi, only raised gas prices to "maintain [their] profit margin." Customers who saved their receipts as proof of overcharging will also be reimbursed, according to the article. If gas station owners did raise gas prices out of sheer greed, then I find the fines to be just and fair. If the price hike came from a higher source, however, I think the state should look to the oil companies, instead of those simply following orders.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/15gouge.html