Originally Posted by Associated Press

North Carolina activates anti-gouging law as gas prices spike

RALEIGH, N.C.-- Gov. Mike Easley has declared a state of "abnormal market disruption" and signed an order allowing the attorney general to enforce North Carolina's anti-gouging law.

The declaration comes today as Hurricane Ike bears down on Texas oil refineries, and gasoline prices in North Carolina and other states are rising.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said today the law applies to all levels of the fuel supply chain. Cooper said his office is ready to take consumer complaints.

Easley said wholesale prices were up less than 20 cents a gallon and consumers shouldn't see prices rise substantially more than the wholesale increase.