Governor:
I encourage you to initiate an investigation into the rapid rise of the price of gasoline. If state government does not protect its citizens what is its purpose?

Dear Friend:
Thank you for your message about the current spike in the price of gasoline. The effects of storm systems active in the Gulf Coast are now being felt by Tennesseans at the gas pump. Prices for fuel have risen dramatically, and a rise in gas prices was anticipated as hurricane activity increased on the Gulf Coast, where a substantial portion of the country's gas supply is produced.

Even so, I am determined to address the issues surrounding gasoline supply in Tennessee. I have warned individuals and businesses who engage in gasoline price-gouging in no uncertain terms that we will be very tough and very aggressive on people who take advantage of this situation. I expect that no one will try to capitalize on the effects of these storms at the expense of Tennesseans, who are already struggling with high gas prices.

Along with my entire administration, I am taking this situation very seriously. Under Tennessee law, price-gouging is illegal. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance will be working with the state Attorney General's office to pursue aggressively anyone who violates that law.

As this situation continues to develop, the State's Division of Consumer Affairs is warning consumers to be on the lookout for potential price-gougers and is offering our citizens information on how they can report possible price-gouging. Consumers may contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at www.tn.gov/consumer or call at 615-741-4737 or toll-free at 800-342-8385, to report incidences of suspected price-gouging. Consumers will need to provide the name of the gas station, its address, and the price and grade of the gas being sold. Citizens also may report suspected price-gouging online to the federal government at http://gaswatch.energy.gov/.

In addition, the Commissioners of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation have been active in pursuing policies to increase the availability, movement and sale of gasoline to Tennessee consumers during this period. You can be sure that I am making every effort to protect the best interests of the people of Tennessee.

Warmest regards,
Phil Bredesen