Michigan Declares Energy Emergency as Gas Prices Surge

If you have been crying every time you have pulled up to the pump lately, trust me… you're not alone. Now, the state is actually trying to step in and help you avoid those tears.

Why Gas Prices Are Rising So Fast

Gretchen Whitmer just signed an executive order declaring an energy emergency in Michigan, all because gas prices have been climbing so fast. It has been a noticeable increase; prices have jumped close to a dollar in a month, sitting around $3.89 a gallon right now.

READ MORE: Michigan Drivers Can Expect Gas Prices Below $3 For Majority of 2026

What does this mean for you and your wallet?

The big move here is loosening restrictions on the type of gas stations can sell. Normally, Michigan switches to a more expensive summer fuel blend, especially in Southeast Michigan. But this order pauses that requirement, allowing stations to sell a cheaper version of gas instead.

The cheaper blend could save drivers somewhere around 10 to 20 cents per gallon, which may not be life-changing, but it is going to help you in the long run.

How Michigan Is Trying to Help

This mainly impacts a lot of places in Southeast Michigan like Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties, where about half the state’s drivers live. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see relief, as supply should increase statewide because of this.

The Bigger Problem Behind Prices

The bigger issue is being driven by global problems, specifically conflicts overseas that is messing with oil supply and driving prices up everywhere. This move won’t fix the root of the problem, but it is making it a bit less painful at the pump.