Midwest Oil fined for selling gas too cheaply

[AGENDA21]

The Minnesota Commerce Department on Thursday announced plans to fine a gas station chain $140,000 for repeatedly selling gas below the state's legal minimum price.

The fine against Midwest Oil of Minnesota is twice as large as any imposed on a company since 2001, when the state established a formula based on wholesale prices, fees and taxes to determine a daily floor for gas prices.

The price law was intended to prevent large oil companies from driving smaller competitors out of business, but some critics argue it fails to protect consumers.

According to the Commerce Department, the Midwest-owned stations in Anoka, Oakdale and Albert Lea sold gas below the minimum price on 293 days in 2005.

http://www.startribune.com/535/story/267143.html

[HereSince1628]

1. Wisconsin has a similar law. Too bad the same thing wasn't

done to protect small town businesses from WalMart.

[madokie]

6. No shit, I liked the old Western Auto's, Otasco's and on and on

now you must buy china made whether you want to or not. The last time i remember buying something made in the usa was a screwdriver, the best dam screwdriver i've had to date i might add.

[Deja Q]

2. If Pawlenty has his way, the large eat the small. This is pro-small biz?!

Only if death is now benevolent.

[TX-RAT]

3. Interesting, now why would they do that.

Their tax rate must depend on the price and not on the gallon. Price gets to low, tax revenue goes down.

[slaveplanet]

4. selective enforcement

"It's what's for breakfast"

[gollygee]

5. Interesting how corporations are OK with some regulation

but not other regulation.

Hmmmm.... I wonder why that is?