tony286

Sonny I had my doubts about but you came thru.

Perdue declares state of emergency
> Fuel prices prompt move to prevent price gouging

> By JAMES SALZER, NANCY BADERTSCHER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
> Published on: 08/31/05

Declaring that there's "credible evidence" of price-gouging at the gas pumps, Gov. Sonny Perdue late Wednesday signed an executive order threatening to impose heavy fines on gasoline retailers who overcharge Georgia drivers.

"When you prey upon the fears and the paranoia, it is akin to looting, and it is abominable," Perdue said at a hastily called, 6 p.m. press conference.

"I'm frankly embarrassed to have to do this," the governor said.

Less than four hours earlier, Perdue said there was little he could do. But he told reporters that, after hearing reports of gas prices in the $4, $5 and $6 range, he and his staff determined that they could declare a state of emergency and put into place the state's anti-price gouging law.

That law was last used last year to keep hotels and motels from overcharging people fleeing from Hurricane Ivan.

Derrick Dickey, a Perdue spokesman, said retailers who violate the law could be hit with a fine of up to $5,000 for each person they overcharge and up to $15,000 if the victim is a senior citizen.

The governor told reporters that the state can track what retailers pay for their gas at the terminal and what they then charge consumers.

"I want it stopped, and I want it stopped now," Perdue said.

The state anti-gouging law does not prevent retailers from selling gas at higher rates but bars them from charging what the governor called "unreasonable or egregious" prices.

It was last used after Hurricane Ivan hit Georgia.

"We will not tolerate the exploitation of Georgia consumers as we recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, Perdue said, adding that violators will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

The price gouging law allows retailers to increase prices based on the increases they are experiencing in transportation and market forces.

Perdue, in an earlier press conference, suggested that Georgians stay home over the Labor Day weekend to cut fuel consumption and make sure the state doesn't run out of gas because of supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"Forgoing our trips over the Labor Day weekend and staying home and enjoying our families ... is one of the better things we can do," Perdue said during a press conference at the American Red Cross headquarters in Atlanta. "Just hang out with your families and enjoy their company. Any discretionary driving you planned, why don't you just relax and spend the time with your children, with your parents, and with your families at home."

Perdue said there is no reason to panic about gas shortages and rising prices. He told reporters that fuel shipments are continuing to arrive at Georgia Ports, and that Colonial Pipeline, the largest pipeline distributing fuel into Georgia, expects to be largely operational by the Labor Day weekend.

"There does appear to be some spot shortages in unbranded, spot-purchasing service stations," he said. "We expect that to be a temporary problem.

"There is no reason to panic. There is plenty of gas on the way. The only way we would have problems is if people rush out and try to horde and try to accumulate gasoline they won't need for a while."

Perdue said the DOT is lifting truck driving restrictions to allow deliveries 24 hours a day. Perdue encouraged companies to allow more employees to tele-work this week.

He also called on Georgians to give cash donations to charities like the Red Cross to help the hundreds of thousands of people from Gulf states having to deal with the disaster. Georgia has opened seven shelters around the state to provide a place for refugees to go, and the state has sent three National Guard CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and personnel to the region to help in the relief efforts.