Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Allows Half Gallon Pricing at Some Gas Stations - "Brother can you spare a dime?"

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 6 -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that since the price of gas has exceeded $3 a gallon, drivers may notice that some gas stations with older pumps will temporarily be selling gasoline by the half gallon because the fuel dispensers cannot compute prices exceeding $2.99.

"The signs out front will still advertise the price for a full gallon of gas, but when drivers pull up to the pump, they might notice the pump price is half the advertised price," Governor Rendell said. "Most retail gas stations in Pennsylvania can display per-gallon prices over $3, but we need to accommodate those that cannot."

Given the recent and rapid increase in fuel prices, the Governor has asked the Department of Agriculture to implement, on a temporary basis, an enforcement policy that will allow for the sale of gasoline in half-gallons.

The policy only applies for fuel dispensers that cannot compute prices above $2.99 and meet the following requirements:

  --  The dispenser involved will not display and compute unit prices of $3
      per gallon or higher.
  --  The fuel is being sold for $3 per gallon or more.
  --  The sign on the front of the dispenser is changed to read "one-half
      total sale" or "1/2 total sale" instead of "total sale."
  --  The sign on the front of the dispenser clearly shows the price per
      gallon.
  --  The actual selling price per gallon or liter of fuel will be posted
      on street advertising.

"Our Bureau of Weights and Measures regularly inspects gas stations to ensure the accuracy of fuel pumps," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "Consumers can continue to feel confident in the amount of gas they receive when they pay their bill."

To receive temporary approval from the Department of Agriculture to sell half gallons of fuel, the gas station must have ordered an upgrade kit so that the motor fuel dispenser will be able to display and compute unit prices of $3 per gallon and higher. Proof of that order must be shown to department inspectors upon request, along with a reasonable date by which the upgrade kit will be installed.

Gas stations must register with the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Weights and Measures to be eligible for the half-gallon pricing. Visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/ and click on "Fuel Pump Half Gallon Request Form," or call 717-787-6772 for more information.