Gov. Evers Signs Emergency Order To Stop Price Gouging At The Pump

WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers signed an emergency order on Tuesday that would bar gas sellers from raising prices unfairly until 2023, as Wisconsin faces rising gas prices along with the rest of the U.S.

Companies can't sell gasoline than 15 percent more than the highest price in the area for 60 days, according to the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

The governor's order certified the Badger State was in a period of "abnormal economic disruption" as high oil demand and strained supply chains choked the nation with high gas prices, including Wisconsin.

State law prohibits dealers from selling goods and services at excessive prices if the governor certifies the state is facing economic disruption by executive order. The order is set to expire after Dec. 31.

“National inflation is causing the cost of everyday household goods and prices at the pump to go up, and Wisconsinites all across our state are struggling to keep up,” Evers said in a statement. “This emergency order will help prevent bad actors from taking advantage of Wisconsin drivers as they fill up the tank to get to work, school, supplies and resources for their businesses, or get their product to market.”

Gas prices shot up during the spring, partly due to rising oil prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Oil prices slowed down for fear of economic recession, which let national gas prices fall below $5, AAA said.

The gas price average in the Badger State was $4.28 on Tuesday, just 14 cents below the national average, data from the AAA showed.