OOIDA, Public Citizen support fuel charge challenge

Dec. 21, 2006
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and Public Citizen, an advocacy group, are supporting a class action lawsuit that has been filed against 17 oil companies and retailers in a challenge to fuel charges

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and Public Citizen, an advocacy group, are supporting a class action lawsuit that has been filed against 17 oil companies and retailers in a challenge to fuel charges, according to Public Citizen information.

The lawsuit seeks remedies in the form of restitution and the installation of temperature-correction equipment for pumps that dispense gasoline and diesel fuel, according to Public Citizen information.

The lawsuit argues that fuel retailers have been overcharging drivers by selling gasoline or diesel that is warmer than the industry standard of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and that as a result, the fuel's energy is reduced. The class-action lawsuit charges petroleum retailers with breach of sales contract and consumer fraud, and seeks relief for motor fuel consumers in the states of California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia.

The complaint was filed against Alon USA Inc, Ambest Inc, Chevron USA Inc, Circle K Corporation, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, ConocoPhilips LLC, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Flying J Inc, Petro Stopping Centers LP, Pilot Travel Centers LLC Inc, 7-Eleven Inc, Shell Oil Products Company LLC, Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, The Kroger Company, TravelCenters of America Inc, Valero Marketing and Supply Company, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.