Two Shell gas stations in Yonkers have reached settlements with the state for price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Atty. Gen. Eric T. Schneiderman Thursday announced settlements with 25 gas stations in the disaster area,  including the Shell/JB Auto Center Limited on Yonkers Avenue and the Shell/City Limits on Bronx River Road. The total settlement was $167,850, he said.
The Yonkers Avenue station  increased gas prices 40 percent after the storm, while the Shell station on Bronx River Road hiked fuel pump prices 43 percent.
New York”™s price gouging law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during natural disasters. The law covers vendors, retailers and suppliers.
The law specifically says that a price may be considered excessive if there is a “gross disparity” between the prices charged immediately before and after the emergency and the disparity is not attributable to higher costs imposed upon the seller.
“Six months ago this week, as New Yorkers were sitting in lines waiting for hours to buy critical supplies of gasoline, some shady business owners were trying to make a fast buck at their expense,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “Today, we are sending a powerful message that ripping off New Yorkers during a time of crisis is against the law and we will do everything in our power to hold them accountable.”
In Rockland County, a Citgo station in Spring Valley also settled with the state, raising prices 98 percent after Hurricane Sandy.
Can someone please have the state AG investigate why Westchester county gas stations are consistently much more expensive than the Bronx to begin with? at least .10-.20 cents. I would expect it to be the other way around with higher taxes in NYC.