RALEIGH — A price gouging law is in effect to prevent overcharging on gas.

On Thursday, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 18, declaring an abnormal market disruption for gasoline in North Carolina based on the temporary shutdown of Texas and Louisiana fuel refineries due to Hurricane Harvey. As a result, North Carolina’s price gouging law against overcharging in a time of crisis is now in effect statewide for the next 45 days.

North Carolinians who spot potential gas price gouging may report it to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at ncdoj.gov or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

Also yesterday, Cooper signed Executive Order No. 19, declaring a state of emergency to temporarily waive the cap on maximum hours of service restrictions for fuel vehicles traveling in and through North Carolina. The order will help gasoline move in and through North Carolina more easily and quickly in response to delivery problems caused by Hurricane Harvey.