Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) declared an energy emergency in Michigan counties on Thursday, citing the Iran war’s impact on gas prices.
“As governor, I can’t end a war overseas or undo bad policies at the federal level that led to higher gas prices, but I will do what I can to try to give families a break,” Whitmer said in a statement. “To provide relief, I’m issuing an executive order taking a few actions with one aim: saving drivers money at the pump.”
The development comes as an intense backlog of oil and gas tankers in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war has driven up energy prices, particularly in Asian markets but also in the United States. The governor’s office said gas prices in Michigan have risen to $3.89 per gallon, up from $2.99, the highest since 2023. To ease costs for residents, Whitmer issued an executive order temporarily suspending requirements on fuel blends across eight southeast counties, allowing for the sale of cheaper, higher-vapor-pressure gasoline, according to a press release.
“This is a temporary and targeted step,” the executive order states. “It does not reflect a change in Michigan’s commitment to clean air or fuel standards. It is a short-term measure to address rising fuel costs and supply constraints caused by the Iran war.”
The areas affected include roughly 5 million residents in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lenawee counties, “which will translate into savings for nearly half of all drivers in the state.” Easing the regulations could result in a 10 to 20 cent reduction in gas prices across the eight counties, Whitmer hopes.
“Michigan drivers outside of these areas will see similar savings because they are already permitted to sell cheaper fuel blends without seeking a waiver,” Whitmer’s office said.
The development comes as President Donald Trump has signaled the U.S. is backing away from efforts to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is opened. In a rare prime-time address to the nation on Wednesday evening, Trump said the U.S. will be “helpful” but said allies more affected by the energy crisis must take responsibility for ensuring the global supply of oil begins to flow once again through the channel.
After the speech, the United Kingdom on Thursday led over 40 countries in discussing joint action to reopen the strategic waterway, which is under Iranian influence and connects to the Persian Gulf. Military planners will meet again next week to discuss options, including providing “reassurance” for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K.
“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said, adding that “unsustainable” spikes in oil and food prices are “hitting households and businesses in every corner of the world.”
HOW COUNTRIES ARE COMBATING ENERGY SHORTAGES: ‘AN ASIAN CRISIS’
As he transferred responsibility for opening the waterway to allies on Wednesday, Trump said Washington has little to lose if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, as the U.S. is a major oil producer.
“To those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refuse to get involved in the decapitation of Iran — we had to do it ourselves — I have a suggestion,” he said. “No. 1, buy oil from the United States of America. We have plenty. We have so much. And No. 2, build up some delayed courage. Go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated. The hard part is done. So it should be easy.”