June 12, 2008 — Gas stations and other gasoline retailers and wholesalers will have to submit written requests for price increases to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs or face a $200 fine, DLCA Commissioner Kenrick Robertson said in a statement Thursday.
"Effective today, wholesalers of gasoline, gas station operators and marine service stations in the territory will only be permitted to increase their fuel prices after submitting a written request to the DLCA which shows the date of delivery, the amount of the proposed increase, along with submission of an invoice evidencing the increased prices," Robertson said.
According to Robertson, "fuel wholesalers and retailers have been in the practice of increasing prices based on the per barrel cost of oil, regardless of whether their fuel inventory was purchased before the increased cost took effect." The order spells out requirements for written authorization to be secured from the DLCA prior to any increase; it institutes a daily $200 fine for any violation and where there exists a continuing pattern of violation, "DLCA will use all legal remedies available, including the initiation of proceedings for the revocation of the entity’s business license."
The order remains in effect through the end of September and will be applied to the 29 gasoline retailers and two marinas on St. Croix; the three wholesalers, 21 retailers and six marinas on St. Thomas and to the two retailers and one marina on St. John.
