Overview
- Whitmer's executive order, issued Thursday, declares an energy emergency to give drivers short-term price relief.
- The order suspends a May 1 switch to lower–vapor-pressure fuel in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair and Lenawee counties, which are home to about five million residents.
- By allowing higher vapor pressure gasoline—normally limited in summer to curb ozone—stations can sell blends that are typically 10 to 20 cents per gallon cheaper.
- The move matches a federal EPA waiver so suppliers can distribute a wider mix of gasoline, and drivers outside the eight counties may benefit as fuel flows through the statewide network.
- With Michigan’s average near $3.88 to $3.89 per gallon after roughly a 30% monthly jump, the state is taking complaints on a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-MDA-Fuel.