State executive order seeks to curb rising fuel costs in Metro Detroit
On Thursday, Apr. 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared an energy emergency in Michigan to lower gas prices in response to the sharp uptick in fuel costs brought on by the war in Iran. The order states, “As of April 2, 2026, the average price of regular gasoline in Michigan is $3.89 per gallon, up from $2.99 per gallon before the conflict – a spike of approximately 30 percent. Prices have surged to their highest levels since 2023, and gas prices will likely continue to rise.”
The order specifically seeks to help eight counties in the southeast: Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. These counties, containing half the population of the state, normally require the use of lower vapor pressure fuel in the summer, at 7.0 psi. The order, which takes effect on Friday, May 1, would allow these counties to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s temporarily loosened restrictions on vapor pressure and ethanol content, allowing fuels of up to 9.0 or 10.0 psi,. Currently, all other counties in the state are already following these looser restrictions, resulting in 10 to 20 cents off per gallon statewide.
Reid Vapor Pressure measures the volatility of gasoline at 100°F. The higher the vapor pressure, the worse the performance in warmer temperatures, and the higher the pollution. Lower vapor pressure helps reduce pollution and improves air quality, but is more expensive. “This is a temporary and targeted step. It does not reflect a change in Michigan’s commitment to clean air or fuel standards. It is a short-term measure to address rising fuel costs and supply constraints caused by the Iran war,” the governor’s order emphasized.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency fuel waiver will end on Wednesday, May 20, but may be extended. Any possible executive order extensions at this moment will not be extended past Jul. 1 without legislative approval.
