Senate Approves Ballenger Plan to Protect Consumers at the Gas Pump

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a consumer protection measure Wednesday which gives motorists a better picture of what type of fuel they are putting into their gas tanks.

“Consumers have the right to know what they are putting in their gas tanks,” said Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, author of Senate Bill 1451. “This legislation requires clearly marked labels to be put on gas pumps which contain a percentage of ethanol or methanol.”

SB 1451 is co-authored by Sen. Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee. The measure now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for his approval. It requires retailers who offer fuel for sale to post labeling on gas pumps that include a mixture of ethanol or methanol fuel.

Ballenger said with skyrocketing oil prices and sticker shock at the gas pump, ethanol can be used to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

“We also need to make sure that oil corporations are being held accountable and are giving full disclosure to what they are putting in their petroleum products,” Ballenger said. “This legislation is a step in the right direction in helping protect Oklahoma families by giving motorists another tool to utilize when purchasing fuel for their motor vehicles.”