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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 State inspectors keep gas pumps accurate Associated Press OLYMPIA -- Six more inspectors have been added to the agency that checks Washington's 49,000 gas pumps to make sure people are getting all the gas for which they pay close to $4 a gallon. "We've seen a very marked increase in complaints from citizens about gas pumps," said Kirk Robinson, state Weights and Measures Program manager. Inspector Tahis McQueen says people get excited when they see her working and realize what she's doing. Her department has some good news to report. Of 1,800 pumps checked in the first three months of the year, 94 percent passed inspection as being accurate. Of the 115 pumps that were inaccurate, there was about a 50-50 split between those giving less than they displayed and those giving more, Robinson said. Inspectors take pumps out of service if they are giving customers less than they paid for. The program is popular with station owners as well, because when inspectors find an error is in the customer's favor, the state informs the station operator. The program, which now has 14 inspectors, is paid for by an annual $10-per-pump fee paid by operators.

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