Price Gouging Ban in Effect Through Midnight Saturday

Governor Brian P. Kemp has signed an executive order to temporarily suspend the gas tax in Georgia in light of the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack.

The State of Emergency will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

People in more metro areas have been hoarding gasoline, filling up gas cans after hearing about the pipeline hack and that has caused many gas stations in Georgia and South Carolina to run out.

Authorities are urging motorists not to hoard gas and Colonial Pipeline officials say they expect to be back up and running by the end of the week.

On Monday Kemp also announced that Georgia is increasing the weight limits for trucks transporting fuel, providing more supply for stations as they receive deliveries.

When Gov. Kemp declared this State of Emergency, Georgia’s price gouging statutes were activated.

This means that while the State of Emergency remains in effect, businesses may not charge more for products and services identified by the Governor, including motor fuel and diesel fuel, than they charged before the declaration of the state of emergency, unless the increased prices accurately reflect an increase in the cost of new stock or the cost to transport it, plus the retailer’s average markup percentage applied during the ten days immediately prior to the declaration of the state of emergency.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said Tuesday that violators of Georgia’s price gouging statutes may be fined up to $5,000 per violation.

Additionally, Consumers can report suspected price gouging by calling 404-651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123 or completing the online complaint form on the Consumer Protection Division’s website at consumer.ga.gov.

Kemp said extensive media coverage has caused people to panic which has resulted in higher gas prices.

He said his office is taking action to relieve some of the cost burden from Georgians as Colonial recovers by suspending fuel taxes, increasing the weight limit for supply trucks, and prohibiting price gouging.