As gas prices rise across Vermont and the country in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Vermonters are calling the Vermont Attorney General’s Office to complain about rapidly escalating gas prices.

“Vermonters are understandably concerned and in some cases outraged over dramatic price increases for gasoline,” said Attorney General Sorrell. “These prices, although tough on our budgets, are not necessarily illegal.”

Attorney General Sorrell noted that other states are experiencing similar price increases, which most recently have been caused by Hurricane Katrina and the shut down of refineries in the Gulf region.

In addition, there are other global factors impacting gas prices that are beyond the authority of the Attorney General’s Office, including huge worldwide increases in demand, and refinery capacity issues, which have now been exacerbated by Katrina.

Attorney General Sorrell noted that many other states have “price gouging” statutes that protect consumers from very large price increases during emergency situations. “Perhaps it is time for the Vermont Legislature to consider enacting a price gouging law to protect Vermont consumers,” said Attorney General Sorrell.

Attorney General Sorrell said he is interested in learning about evidence of agreements among fuel dealers to charge certain prices for gasoline. If consumers and others have such evidence, they should contact the Attorney General’s Office. However, the Attorney General noted that, in the absence of an agreement between the dealers, gas stations that charge the same prices as other gas stations are not necessarily engaged in illegal activity.

To mitigate the effects of increasing prices, Attorney General Sorrell offered consumers the following tips to save money on gas. These tips on smart gasoline buying habits and other useful information about the gasoline industry are available on the Attorney General’s website: www.atg.state.vt.us.

•Shop around. Encourage competition by taking your business to gas stations with lower prices. Websites such as vermontgasprices.com and gaspricewatch.com offer comparisons of prices at Vermont stations, and vermont retail prices shows Vermont prices in relation to other regions around the country.

•Slow down. Keeping your speed down means you’re burning less of that expensive gas. Using cruise control and the overdrive gear on your car can also help.

•Tune up. To increase your miles per gallon, keep your engine tuned, replace clogged oil and air filters, and make sure your oxygen sensor works properly. Using the right grade of motor oil for your car and keeping your tires properly inflated will also help.

•Stick to regular gas unless your owner’s manual specifies you need a higher grade.

•Plan your route. Combine trips to save gas. For example, run errands while on your way to work or while taking your kids to school. Also, con

sider carpooling or use public and alternative forms of transportation.

•Pick the right vehicle. If you own more than one car, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage.

•Don’t idle. Turn off your engine if you plan to sit for a while.

•Don’t overload your trunk. Clear unnecessary things from your trunk and avoid hauling large items on your roof to improve your gas mileage.