Officials monitor gas price rise

www.purdueexponent.org By Michael Williams Staff Writer The Indiana Attorney General's Office is collecting information on gas pricing in case an emergency situation is declared due to the recent increased gas rates. According to Staci Scheider, press secretary for the Indiana Attorney General's Office, the state could see a decrease in gas prices as soon as spring, but the office is still collecting an information to protect consumers from the rising prices. The recent increase in gas prices across the nation is attributed to the tensions in the Middle East, oil workers' strike in Venezuela and the colder-than-expected winter. Gas prices in Indiana are less than .01 cent below the national average all-time high of $1.7271. Andrew Stoner, deputy press secretary for Gov. Frank O'Bannon, said, "We're closely monitoring the anomalies in order to determine if an emergency needs to be declared." The governor last called the emergency in 2000 when gas prices soared due to a break in the Explorer pipeline in Canada. The governor declared the emergency to protect consumers from the rising gas prices. Prices already increased at the beginning of the year when the increased gas tax was implemented. The Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association states that federal tax, Indiana gasoline tax, and state sales tax all go into figuring the prices of gas. The rest of the price comes from production, distribution and retail — all of which yield minimal return. Local businesses that are dependent on fuel are feeling the effects of the rise in gas prices as well. I. Rutlege Towing & Recovery Inc. is just one of the many business effected. Tira Clayton, of Rutledge Towing said that the company has had to make cuts in advertising and office supplies to compensate for the gas prices. With spring approaching companies will be switching from winter-grade gasoline to summer-grade — a change is required by the government. These two grades are not interchangeable. Due to the switching of grades consumers are susceptible to supply shortages, which leads to increases in price. But the supply shortage would only last until early summer. Anyone concerned with a certain gas price can submit a report by calling (866) 241-9753 or submit it online at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral.