State Senator John Proos is urging people to fill up their gas tanks now ahead of the coming Memorial Day holiday. This is due to Governor Snyder declaring an energy emergency with a pipeline being shut down in Wisconsin and the Marathon oil refinery unexpectedly going off-line this week.
“Michigan families and businesses alike depend on an adequate, reliable and affordable access to fuel,” says the St. Joseph Republican. “I commend the governor for taking quick action to help safeguard residents and visitors from shortages. However, there are no guarantees, so I strongly encourage drivers to fill their tanks while they can just in case there are fuel disruptions.”
Proos is also urging people to report gas gouging to the Michigan Attorney General’s office if you spot prices significantly higher than other stations. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan does not believe prices will move much higher ahead of Memorial Day.
Gas prices have jumped in Michigan in the past few days to $2.53 a gallon according to GasBuddy. The website pegs the average price in Berrien County also at $2.53, and it’s a nickel higher in Van Buren County. Analysts blame the wildfires in the Canadian oil sands regions along with the Wisconsin pipeline and Detroit Marathon refinery shutdowns for the jump since Monday.
