Thursday, April 20, 2006

Report Gas Price Gouging

I want to remind all consumers they can report any incidents of possible price gouging at local gasoline filling stations by visiting: http://gaswatch.energy.gov/ or calling 1-800-244-3301.

Price gouging, price fixing, and other forms of collusion by suppliers or retailers may violate federal or state law, and may be subject to prosecution by federal or state enforcement authorities. According to the Department of Energy, nearly 35,000 people visited the site last year to report possible incidents of gasoline price gouging.

DOE offers the following tips to help you save money on gas:

  1. Slow down. Each 5 miles per hour an individual drives over 60 is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gasoline.
  2. Keep your car properly maintained and running smoothly. Tune-ups, clean air filters, properly maintained tires, and the proper grade of oil can all save you money at the pump.
  3. Use your engine wisely. Avoid excessive idling and use cruise control when possible.
  4. Be smart about driving. Conduct errands in groups, join a carpool, or use mass transit if available.
  5. Keep your car light. Too often cars become long-term storage facilities for sporting equipment or household items.