Sag Harbor - New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) has amended his legislation to strengthen New York State's Gasoline Zone Pricing Legislation to include recommendations made by State Attorney General (AG) Eric Schneiderman. The recommendations were made in a report released on December 28, 2011. The State Attorney General has been engaged in a year-long investigation of gasoline pricing in New York State. Assemblyman Thiele has been providing the AG's Office with periodic gasoline surveys of the South Fork. The region has been adversely impacted by the practice of zone pricing. In Thiele's most recent survey, South Fork prices were 16 cents above the State average and 14 cents above the Long Island average.

In 2008, New York State enacted the first law in the nation to outlaw the practice of zone pricing for gasoline. However, compliance has been sporadic and enforcement has been difficult. Since 2008 South Fork gas prices have sometimes been at the State average, but at other times they have been as much as 20 cents higher than the State average.

Thiele has introduced legislation which would strengthen the law to facilitate enforcement by the State AG. At the same time, the State AG has completed his own investigation.

Thiele stated, "I am encouraged by the issuance of this report by Attorney General Schneiderman. It demonstrates commitment to protect consumers from the unfair business practice of zone pricing. In particular, I appreciate the recommendations made by the AG to strengthen the law. I have incorporated them into my legislation which I will pursue vigorously during the 2012 Legislative Session. It is imperative that big oil companies be made to comply with the law."