Gas prices prompt state of emergency declaration from Beshear (KY)

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/09/08/daily50.html

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear on Friday declared a state of emergency to prevent gas price gouging in the state, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.

The declaration, in the wake of Hurricane Ike’s approach to the Gulf Coast, allows the governor to apply a state law allowing for the investigation and prosecution of suspected price gouging for gasoline, building supplies and other items.

“We have received an overwhelming influx of of reports from across Kentucky regarding gasoline price spikes and even rationing,” said Attorney General Jack Conway in the release. “I felt it was important to get the price gouging protections in place as soon as possible to protect the commonwealth’s consumers and businesses."

According to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, the average price for a gallon of regular gas, as of early Friday, was $3.83 in Covington, $3.72 in Lexington and $3.80 in Louisville. Prices can vary widely among individual stations, however.

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