LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Gretchen Whitmer declared an energy emergency Thursday, issuing an executive order aimed at lowering gas prices for Michigan drivers as costs surge due to global instability.
Executive Order 2026-4 temporarily eases restrictions on gasoline blends, allowing the sale of higher vapor pressure fuel that is typically 10 to 20 cents cheaper per gallon.
The move comes as gas prices in Michigan have climbed to an average of $3.89 per gallon, up from $2.99 earlier this year, marking a roughly 30% increase and the highest prices since summer 2023. Drivers are paying nearly a dollar more than they were just one month ago.
State officials say the spike is largely driven by global oil market disruptions tied to the Iran war, which has impacted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that previously handled millions of barrels of oil per day.
“Right now, countless Michigan families are struggling with rising costs on the essentials, from groceries to gas,” Whitmer said in a statement. “As governor, I can’t end a war overseas or undo bad policies at the federal level that led to higher gas prices, but I will do what I can to try to give families a break.”
The executive order suspends seasonal fuel requirements set to take effect May 1 in eight counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair and Lenawee. Together, those counties are home to roughly five million residents, nearly half the state’s population.
Drivers in other parts of Michigan are expected to see similar savings, as stations outside those counties are already permitted to sell lower-cost fuel blends.
The order aligns Michigan policy with a temporary waiver issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing broader access to gasoline supplies and helping stabilize prices.
Officials say consumers who suspect issues with fuel quality can report concerns through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s fuel hotline.
