Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. expressed his support for the Lukoil gasoline station owners who symbolically raised their prices in protest of what they say are unfair pricing practices by Lukoil North America that are hurting business and consumers.

More than 50 Lukoil gasoline station owners from New Jersey and Pennsylvania raised street prices to $8.99 a gallon in protest of Lukoil North America’s corporate conduct. They held a press conference at a Stelton Road Lukoil station in South Plainfield to highlight their grievances.

“I support New Jersey’s Lukoil gasoline station owners as they defend their small businesses and New Jersey motorists from Lukoil’s anti-competitive zone pricing scheme,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “I have introduced the Unfair Motor Fuels Practices Act, and its purpose is to protect New Jersey residents from the failure of the market to act competitively. The bill acts against conduct which unfairly tends to destroy competition itself and levels the playing field for Lukoil franchisees throughout our state which will lead to reduced prices for all consumers.”

The bill would make it unlawful for any distributor, refiner, wholesaler or supplier of motor fuel to discriminate, either directly or indirectly, in tank wagon price (the invoice cost of motor fuel to the retailer) between different retail dealers purchasing the same grade, quality or quantity of branded motor fuel.

The measure has been referred to the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, of which Assemblyman Diegnan is Vice-Chair. TLS.