UNDATED (WSAU) – State officials say tainted gas may have been distributed to parts of western Wisconsin. The Minnesota Department of Commerce posted a news release yesterday on its website warning drivers that diesel-tainted gas may have made its way into the state. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is investigating.
Cities possibly affected include Chippewa Falls, La Crosse, Onalaska, Sparta, West Salem, Alma, Winona, and La Crescent. The agency said the tainted gas was distributed to stations between Friday and Saturday afternoon. The gas stations that got the questionable shipments have taken their pumps out of service.
The problem was at a fuel depot in Rochester, Minnesota owned by Magellan Midstream Partners where a value didn’t shut off correctly. It means that small amounts of diesel-fuel may have mixed with gasoline. The contaminated gas could cause vehicles to lose gas-mileage or run sluggishly. It’s not thought that the contamination is enough to cause engine problems.
Anyone who believes they’ve been sold tainted gas can call the state’s hotline at 800-224-4942.
