The Nassau County Legislature passed legislation last week that will standardize the definition of regular and premium gasoline.

The legislation, which was sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Peter Schmitt, will require all gas stations to label 87 octane gasoline "regular" and 92 octane, "premium" which would prevent gas retailers from tricking a consumer into buying a more expensive grade of gas than intended. Currently gas stations can label a high octane gas as "regular" and therefore, charge a higher price for it even though the higher octane may exceed the needs of the buyer.

"Gas buying consumers are being misled by certain large chain stations," said Schmitt in a press release announcing the legislation. "Consumers see prices advertising gas for one price, pull into the station and order a fill up with regular, and unbeknownst to them, can be charged a substantially higher price, because that particular station has designated a higher octane, and more expensive gasoline as "regular".

"Surprisingly, there are no federal, state or local regulations that defines terminology for octane's or grades of gasoline. This law will codify some common sense designations, so when the consumer orders "regular," they will be assured of getting 87 octane gas, usually the cheapest grade of gasoline offered at a station."

Schmitt told the Massapequan Observer that the bill, which still has to be approved by County Executive Thomas Gulotta, was created in response to constituent complaints, as well as a recent article in Newsday about the matter. He said he felt it was important to move on it quickly due to high traffic volume in Nassau during the summer due to tourism and the Goodwill games. He added that it is important to stress that only a minority of gasoline outlets were misleading consumers and it was "not fair to the majority who are doing things above board."

Kathy Pallone, executive director of the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, said she supports the new legislation.

"It's a positive law because it's going to protect the consumer," she said. "As long as it doesn't hurt the service stations that are doing legitimate business, and I don't think it will, I don't have a problem with it." She added, however, that consumers should take it upon themselves to be aware of what they are buying.

Schmitt said three of the chains alleged to have been misleading consumers were Coastal, Target and Metro. He said it is estimated that the problem has cost consumers from $12- $15 million a year in additional gas expenditures.

The bill also requires that 89 octane gas be labeled as "mid grade," "plus" or "mid." Gas retailers will also no longer be able to label gas as "unleaded" or "lead free" without any further description.