By Don Koivisto, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture

With Michigan’s beautiful forests, lakes, rivers, shores, sunrises, and sunsets, we as Michiganders love to hop in the car and travel our state. During the holiday season, we visit our favorite Michigan Christmas tree farm and reunite with family and friends to enjoy our own unique celebrations. And as winter settles over us for its annual visit, we light our fireplaces and turn up the thermostats to keep the chill outside where it belongs.

Of course, as we plan our trips we are well aware that when we pull up to the pump -- the price of gasoline costs about $1 more per gallon than last year at this time, the price of diesel fuel makes delivering the goods we buy more expensive, and every Michigan resident feels the pinch of heating their homes and businesses.

While the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) cannot control the prices of these fuels, we have been working diligently to ensure that consumers get what they pay for. As prices have risen in recent years, our department utilized additional legislative funding to add inspectors with the mandate to increase our quality and quantity inspections at gas stations across Michigan.

MDA’s Motor Fuels Quality and Weights and Measures programs are on point for protecting Michigan’s consumers from fraud and for fostering a marketplace in which businesses can compete fairly. In fact, according to estimates by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, weights and measures activities facilitate an estimated $170 billion in commerce in Michigan. This includes virtually all of Michigan’s $60.1 billion agricultural economy.

This year, MDA inspectors have tested over 30,000 gas and diesel meters with a 99 percent quantity accuracy rating. Our department’s focus in this area has led to greater industry cooperation and vigilance in ensuring that their gasoline meets all quality parameters before the fuel reaches your tank. As a result, consumers benefit from a greater improvement in quantity compliance.

Our department’s commitment to accuracy doesn’t end at the gas pump. The rise in prices for fuel oil and liquefied-petroleum gas (LPG) are taking a more significant bite out of each of our heating budgets. MDA’s inspectors conduct specialized winter projects to test delivery meters for these fuels. Located in more rural areas of the state, these truck-mounted meters require specialized proving equipment, as well as unique cooperation from operators. So far in 2007, inspectors tested almost 600 fuel oil and LPG meters.

It’s critical for Michigan’s consumers to have confidence in their day-to-day purchases. The same holds true for the business community as farmers, producers, packers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers must all have confidence in the integrity of commerce in Michigan. So as you hit the road this winter or turn up your thermostat be assured that MDA will continue to protect the fairness and equity of these fuels.

If you do suspect a problem at a pump, I encourage you to call MDA’s 24-hour hotline for reporting complaints at 1-800-MDA-FUEL.