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I-Team Update: Gas Quality Not Guaranteed

I-Team Update: Gas Quality Not Guaranteed - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 5:38PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 05:38pm EST
WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY --One year ago this week the WBRE I-Team revealed shocking news about the quality of gasoline we buy. A test showed some fuel does not contain the octane level advertised on the pump. And in Pennsylvania there are no inspectors to check that. Consumer reporter Jeff Chirico first brought us this investigation last May.

With the rising cost of gasoline this issue is even more important than when we first brought it to you last year. We pay among the highest gas taxes in the nation yet Pennsylvania is one of only four states that don't provide for octane inspections. That means, next time you fill up, you may not be getting what you're paying for.

“That kind of gets me upset a little bit there."

Drivers we spoke with had no idea no one inspects octane levels at Pennsylvania pumps.

Jonathan lazarchick/Wilkes-Barre

"That could be watered down and stuff." It means we could be wasting money.

Lower quality could also damage cars that need high octane.

Joe Kipp/Ontario

"Why would I come here, put in 92 octane and maybe I'm getting 90. What's the point of having sticker here?"

Last May, the I-Team tested random samples of gasoline. Two of the three had a lower level octane than advertised on the pump. Experts say it's easy for stations and distributors to water down gasoline and there's big profit to be made.

“They should be doing something to make sure people are getting proper gas for vehicles."

Lawmakers have started.

Rep. Mike Carroll (D) District 118

"The house with my support has approved this bill"

But representative Mike Carroll of Luzerne and Monroe counties says it's now up to the Senate. But it's been stalled there for nearly 11 months. Meanwhile, we pump more and more of our cash into a product that may not be what we thought.

An aide to Senator Lisa Boscola tells me he doesn't think it's going to pass because it's too expensive and some senator's aren't convinced there's a need for it.

The auditor general's office did a random survey of some pumps. 99 percent passed. But that was in 1999 --when gas cost 99 cents a gallon. Time is ticking. If the Senate's going to act, it will happen before the end of June.
 


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