A Minnesota distributor is alerting consumers that some gasoline sold over the past weekend in the La Crosse, Chippewa Falls and Alma areas of Wisconsin, and in Rochester, Minn., was contaminated with diesel fuel. Magellan Midstream Partners reported that a malfunction at its Rochester, Minn., terminal resulted in diesel fuel being added to gasoline. Inspectors from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) are investigating to ensure that any bad fuel has been removed from tanks and the tanks have been cleaned before retailers in the state resume sales. Magellan officials do not believe enough diesel was added to the gasoline to cause vehicle engine damage. However, diesel-contaminated gasoline can have effects ranging from engines running poorly until the gas is replaced to damage in the hundreds of dollars. Consumers who bought gasoline at these outlets and have a problem with their vehicle can contact the gas station where they purchased the fuel directly or call DATCP’s Weights and Measures Complaint line, (800) 224-4942.
