From the Office of Senator Kevin Bryant - District 3

For Immediate Release
September 12, 2008

Bryant Asks Public to Report Potential Price Gouging

Columbia – Senator Kevin Bryant today issued the following statement related to gas-price increases related to supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Ike:

“In the coming days, I am certain there will be a call for resources and supplies to be sent to Texas and other areas along the Gulf Coast currently feeling the direct impact of Hurricane Ike. When that call comes I am sure South Carolinians will respond as we have in the past; as we have experienced the devastating effects of hurricanes similar to Ike.

“And, while our thoughts, prayers and support will turn to those suffering the biggest loss the impact of Ike is not limited to the Gulf Coast. Many families in South Carolina, who are already struggling to make ends meet, will be faced with additional challenges as the disruption in the fuel supply will no doubt cause an increase in prices. We have already seen a spike in the last 24-hours.

“Many local, small businesses will seek to make only the necessary pricing adjustments needed to cover the rising cost of fuel in the days ahead, but not all businesses will act in such a responsible manner. I encourage anyone who suspects that a business is taking advantage of the current supply challenges, to report that business to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, which officially invoked the state’s
price gouging prohibition statute earlier today.

“These next few days will be a time for us to come together and look for ways to help our neighbor, not a time to make a bad situation worse by taken advantage of our neighbor.”

Citizens should report inordinate and suspected pricing violations immediately to local law enforcement or the South Carolina Attorney
General’s Office at (803) 734-3970 or
gasprices@SCAttorneyGeneral.com.