Senator Richard Blumenthal was in Danbury yesterday.  He stopped by a gas station on Padanaram Road to discuss a new bill he introduced called the Gas Prices Relief Act.  The legislation to lower high gas prices by temporarily suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year.  He says this will bring much-needed economic relief to families across Connecticut and the country.  Under the proposal, the 18.4 center per gallon federal tax would be suspended until January 1st.  The legislation requires the Treasury Department to monitor and ensure oil and gas companies are passing along savings to drivers at the pumps.

State Attorney General William Tong says the recent spike in gas prices has triggered consumer protections put in place to safeguard people from price gouging.  His office is monitoring and investigating increases.  Anyone who suspects gouging to file a complaint with the AG's office online at dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/ or by phone by calling 860-808-5318.

Tong acknowledged that gas prices fluctuate constantly, and price changes and price increases are normal. But he says this past week is not typical.  The abnormal market disruption triggers additional consumer protections during this time.

During an abnormal market disruption, it is unlawful to charge an “unconscionably excessive price” for energy resources, including gasoline, electricity, and home heating oil. An “unconscionably excessive price” may occur when there is a gross disparity between the price during the market disruption and the price in the ordinary course of business immediately prior to the market disruption and the price is not attributable to additional costs. Unlike the retail price gouging statute, the abnormal market disruption declaration covers unconscionably excessive prices charged at the retail, distributor and wholesale levels.