(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun is trying to keep state fuel prices as low as possible by extending the gas tax holiday for a second time.

 

The 7% gas usage and 36-cent excise taxes are now suspended through July 7. That extends savings to the tune of about 63 cents per gallon. According to the governor’s office, AAA’s ranking of gas prices by state has Indiana in the lead with the cheapest gas in the country, at $3.585 for a gallon of regular.

 

Meanwhile, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office is investigating certain gas stations for possible price gouging.

 

According to AG Todd Rokita, his office has received over 200 consumer complaints since state gas taxes were suspended in April. Rokita says under Indiana law, price gouging occurs when a price “grossly exceeds what they were charging during the seven days before the emergency.” He adds that not every high price constitutes gouging, since prices can fluctuate based on market conditions.

 

The Attorney General’s Office has ordered a formal investigation of 30 major fuel retailers accused of failing to pass along the savings. Informal inquiries have reportedly been made to another 100 gas stations. No word on whether any of those are in La Porte County. “These investigations will take time,” Rokita said. “We are only going where the facts lead us.”

 

In April Rokita’s office launched a website, INFuelWatch.com, to track prices at over 4,600 gas stations statewide. Complaints of suspected gas price gouging can be made at indianaconsumer.com.