Gas Stations Must Request Temporary License from Department of
Agriculture
HARRISBURG, Pa., May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With gas prices
exceeding $4 per gallon in some areas, older fuel pumps may display half
gallon prices in coming weeks, said Governor Edward G. Rendell today. The
total cost of gas will remain the same.
Some older, non-digital fuel dispensers cannot compute prices exceeding
$3.99, making it necessary to allow half-gallon pricing until upgrades can
be made. Signs advertising fuel prices must still advertise the price for a
full gallon of gas or diesel, but the price displayed on the pump will be
half the per-gallon price.
"With rapidly increasing fuel prices, I am allowing gas stations with
older model pumps to temporarily implement half-gallon prices," Governor
Rendell said. "Most retail fuel stations in Pennsylvania can display
per-gallon prices over $4, but we will accommodate those that cannot,
allowing business to continue and ensuring consumers get what they pay
for."
Fewer than 500 fuel dispensers are estimated to be affected by half
gallon pricing, which is approximately 0.4 percent of gas pumps in
Pennsylvania. In 2007, there were more than 108,000 retail fuel dispensers
in Pennsylvania.
The policy only applies for fuel dispensers that cannot compute prices
above $3.99 and meet the following requirements:
-- The dispenser involved will not display and compute unit prices of $4
per gallon or higher.
-- The fuel is being sold for $4 per gallon or more.
-- The sign on the front of the dispenser is changed to read "one-half
total sale" or "1/2 total sale" instead of "total
sale."
-- The sign on the front of the dispenser clearly shows the price per
gallon.
-- The actual selling price per gallon or liter of fuel will be posted on
street advertising.
"Our Bureau of Weights and Measures regularly inspects gas stations to
ensure the accuracy of fuel pumps," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis
Wolff. "Consumers can continue to feel confident in the amount of gas they
receive when they pay their bill."
To receive temporary approval from the Department of Agriculture to
sell half gallons of fuel, gas stations must order an upgrade kit that will
allow the motor fuel dispenser to display and compute unit prices of $4 per
gallon and higher. Proof of the order must be shown to department
inspectors upon request, along with a reasonable date by which the upgrade
kit will be installed.
Gas stations must register with the Department of Agriculture's Bureau
of Weights and Measures to be eligible for the half-gallon pricing. Visit
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on "Fuel Pump Half Gallon Request
Form," or call 1-877-TEST-007 for more information.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Teresa Candori
717-783-1116
Nicole L. Cullison, Ag
717-787-5085
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