Gas station to offer refunds to motorists

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

Motorists who bought gasoline from one local gas station on Sept. 11, the day terrorists attacked U.S. cities, could be eligible for a refund.

Eberle Shell, the service station at 1900 Northwestern Ave., raised its prices above $2.50 for regular unleaded fuel and could be providing refunds, according to an attorney general's report on gas stations throughout the state.

The state's attorney general's office threatened Indiana stations that raised prices to $2.50 or higher by means of legal action, if necessary, after stations throughout the state hiked prices. The Eberle Shell service station on Northwestern Avenue is one that is currently under investigation.

According to the office, there is no reason to believe that fuel supply has been affected by the attacks, but this did not stop service stations from gouging prices in panic.

Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, said she agreed with the attorney general's office that the stations that increased prices should be punished.

"Companies have been warned that they better not do this — take advantages of a tragedy — to make money," said Klinker. "It's absolutely incomprehensible to me that this would occur."

Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th, said she was happy with the attorney general's actions as well.

"I don't know why people panicked. There's absolutely no reason for that," said Scholer.

Greg Seiter, spokesperson for the AAA motor club, agreed that price gouging was totally unnecessary.

"I need to emphasize that there is no gasoline shortage," said Seiter. "And we don't anticipate any shortage."

The state department of revenue conducted an investigation and found prices to be raised as high as $4.99 a gallon. The investigation will be further continued.

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CITY DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 250

City editor:
Heather Mangold

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