Governor activates price gouging statute

ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has signed an executive order activating the state's price gouging statute to protect consumers from unreasonable price increases for gasoline because of Hurricane Ike.

In a statement Friday night, the governor said the hurricane ``has disrupted the production of distribution of gasoline, which will have an effect on prices.''

But, he added, ``We expect the prices that Georgians pay at the pump to be in line with the prices retailers are paying. We will not tolerate retailers taking advantage of Georgians during a time of emergency.''

The statute prevents retailers from selling goods or services at an unreasonable price. It does not prevent price increases that accurately reflect an increase in the cost of the goods or services to the retailer.