Governor and attorney general warn about gas price gouging

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson are warning gas stations and other retailers about price-gouging.<br/><br/>With Hurricane Rita taking aim on the Texas

Thursday, September 22nd 2005, 1:17 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson are warning gas stations and other retailers about price-gouging.

With Hurricane Rita taking aim on the Texas coast and evacuees heading to Oklahoma, Henry and Edmondson say the state won't tolerate price gouging.

The state's price-gouging law prohibits price increases of more than ten percent above a price charged immediately before a disaster declaration. There is an exception if the price increase is caused by other factors and doesn't result in an increase in profits.

President Bush issued a disaster declaration for Oklahoma on September fifth as refugees from Hurricane Katrina came to the state.

Edmondson says he's gotten nearly 200 reports of high gas prices, but says none have risen to the level of gouging.

AAA Oklahoma says the statewide average price for gas early Thursday was $2.46 per gallon, compared to $2.51 per gallon a month ago.