Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer backs pause on sales tax on gas
Michigan consumers do not appear to be heading toward any kind of relief from higher gas prices. The Republican-led legislature voted to repeal the state’s 27 cents a gallon tax, not indefinitely but for several months. The average price of a gallon of regular in the state is $4.19 a gallon. If you have a 15-gallon tank, the savings would be $4.05.
AAA Michigan gas report March 29, 2021: Prices decline 4 cents
Gas prices in Michigan dropped 4 cents compared to a week ago, AAA Michigan reports Monday. This price is 5 cents less than this time last month but still 97 cents more than this time last year. The national average decreased despite rising gas demand, which increased from 8.44 million b/d to 8.62 million b/d. Crude prices have decreased due to continuing market concern that crude demand will drop as Europe increases restrictions to curb growing coronavirus infection rates. The decrease in crude prices has also been supported by EIA reporting that total domestic crude inventories increased by 1.9 million bbl to 502.7 million bbl.
Michigan governor issues executive order suspending required April 1 gasoline vapor pressure reduction
Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-31, suspending the April 1 requirement for lower vapor pressure gasoline. To ensure the health and safety of the public, gasoline supplies must remain available to support essential functions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This public health emergency has caused an unexpected oversupply of higher volatility gasoline, which is occupying bulk fuel storage systems and preventing many distributors from shifting their supplies to lower volatility gasoline that meets vapor pressure requirements for sale in Michigan beginning April 1, 2020. Stocks of winter-blend gasoline, which is sold in Michigan prior to April 1, are ample and available to supplement the undersupply of April-compliant gasoline stocks during this emergency. For more information on gas pricing, visit the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Petroleum Price Information website or www.michigan.gov/gasolinecorner.