Whitmer declares energy emergency in Michigan: Impact on gas prices

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has taken a significant step to address the rising cost of fuel for drivers in the state. On Thursday, April 2, she declared an energy emergency and signed an executive order aimed at easing fuel costs as global energy prices continue to climb due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The order specifically waives a gas vapor pressure requirement in several key counties, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lenawee. This waiver will be in effect from May 1 through July 1, unless the state Legislature decides to extend it.

Gas vapor pressure requirements are designed to minimize emissions that can harm the ozone layer when gasoline evaporates. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these standards are typically more stringent during the summer months to combat smog and air pollution. Normally, fuel blends sold in the summer have stricter vapor pressure limits than those available in the winter. Cheaper gasoline options, such as E15, are usually restricted during the summer due to these environmental concerns.

The executive order emphasizes that this waiver is a temporary measure intended to address the current surge in fuel costs and supply constraints caused by the war in Iran. It also states that the move does not signal a shift in Michigan’s commitment to clean air or fuel standards. “It is a short-term measure to address rising fuel costs and supply constraints caused by the Iran war,” the order reads.

At the federal level, the EPA has also issued a similar waiver, easing fuel pressure requirements from May 1 to May 20. Under state law, the affected counties in Michigan are subject to stricter vapor pressure limits — 7.0 pounds per square inch (PSI) — compared to the 9.0 PSI summer standards set by federal regulations. By waiving these restrictions, fuel stations in the most populous counties will be able to sell cheaper gasoline blends, which are already permitted in other parts of the state during the summer months.

Whitmer’s office highlighted that while the governor cannot end the war overseas or undo federal policies that have contributed to higher gas prices, she is taking action to provide relief to families. “As governor, I can’t end a war overseas or undo bad policies at the federal level that led to higher gas prices, but I will do what I can to try to give families a break,” she stated in a public statement.

A group of Michigan House Republicans also sent Whitmer a letter on April 1, urging her to take action to ease fuel blend requirements amid the rising costs. Since the conflict in Iran began in late February, gasoline prices in Michigan have surged dramatically.

According to AAA data, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Michigan on April 2 was $3.88 per gallon. While this is slightly below the national average of $4.08, it is nearly a dollar more expensive than the average cost of a gallon in Michigan just a month earlier, which was $2.98 per gallon.

Iran’s military actions, including closing the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted global oil supplies. This strait is a critical route for about a fifth of the world’s oil, and its closure has led to a sharp increase in energy prices worldwide, particularly affecting Asian countries that rely heavily on Middle Eastern fuel imports.

Economists warn that higher energy prices can lead to broader inflation. As the cost of transporting goods increases, the prices of consumer goods also rise, impacting the overall economy.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer declares energy emergency in Michigan: What it means for gas