States' Programs for Pump Labeling of Gasoline Ingredients

GAO discussed the results of a survey of states and U.S. territories regarding their gasoline-pump labelling requirements and the need for a uniform federal label. GAO noted that, of the 39 states requiring pump labels: (1) all required alcohol content disclosure; (2) half indicated that they required the labels for consumer protection; (3) 32 imposed fines, 28 stopped sales, and 18 issued warnings to enforce compliance; and (4) 22 expressed satisfaction with their requirements and did not express a need for a uniform federal label. GAO also noted that: (1) 24 states favored a uniform federal label, citing the benefits of uniformity and consumer and environmental safety; (2) 13 states opposed a federal label, citing potential problems between state and federal enforcement efforts; and (3) states believed that labels should disclose alcohol content, health information, and warnings.