Gas station investigated after fuel quality complaints

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says that a gas station in Braselton isn’t facing a fine or penalty for an apparent accident in which diesel fuel was mixed with premium fuel, according to a spokesperson.

A customer filed a complaint with the state agency — which ensures fuel quality — on Jan. 3 about the premium gas at the Golden Pantry on Ga. Hwy. 53 in Jackson County.

“Usually, when someone talks about the quality (of gas), it’s a water issue — like water has got into the gas in some way,” said Arty Schronce, director of public affairs at the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

An inspector didn’t see any water in the premium fuel at Golden Pantry, but tests later showed that it was contaminated with diesel fuel.

It’s unknown how the diesel fuel mixed with the premium fuel, but Schronce said the incident is likely an accident caused when a delivery truck mixed the grades of gasoline.

The Braselton gas station’s mid-grade and premium fuel pumps were closed until the state agency determined that the incident was an accident. The Georgia Department of Agriculture had also received two additional complainants about premium fuel at the Golden Pantry, according to Schronce.

Since the state agency determined that the incident was an accident, it didn’t impose a fine or penalty against Golden Pantry. There was no intentional mixing of the fuel and Golden Pantry has been very cooperative with the state’s investigation, Schronce said.

Golden Pantry is dealing with any customer complainants about damage to their vehicles caused by the fuel and the state department of agriculture can provide lab results for those customers that ask, he added.