REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- To prevent a possible disruption of fuel supplies, mostly in rural areas, Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey today signed an order to allow a small number of Ohio gas stations to keep pumps open despite their inability to display prices over $2.999 per gallon.
The order allows about 150 stationsfewer than 3% of the state's totalto display fuel at one-half the actual price as long as they continue to post the full price per gallon on street signs and other forms of advertising. This means that $3 in gasoline would be displayed [image-nocss] at the pump at $1.50, but the consumer would be charged the full price of $3 per gallon at the cash register. The total gallons pumped would be displayed correctly on the dispenser.
Consumers should rely on the posted gallon price to know exactly what they are purchasing, Dailey said. If we did not implement the half-price exemption, these stations might shut down and force consumers in rural areas to drive farther to fillup. The only thing worse than high gas prices is no gas at all.
The outdated pump displaysmostly at independent companies in rural areasare required to install an upgrade kit within the next 30 days to remedy this problem. The fueling stations have been notified they must immediately contact their petroleum equipment vendor to place an order, and most have already done so.
The one-half price structure must be applied to all grades of fuel at any station with the outdated pumps. This order does not apply to newer electronic models usually found in urban areas.
There are approximately 6,000 retail gas stations and more than 100,000 gas pumps in the state of Ohio. The Agriculture Department's Weights & Measures Division works with the county and city jurisdictions to test fuel meters and enforce laws that ensure consumers get what they are paying for at the pump. Section 1327.50 of the Ohio Revised Code allows the Director to take such actions to maintain good commercial practices in the state.
In a Special Alert Bulletin to the group's members, Roger Dreyer, president of the Ohio Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said, It is strongly advised that retailers operating under the exemption keep a copy of the emergency order at all affected locations.
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