Cantwell calls for investigation of gas prices
2006-09-18
Source: Yakima Herald Republic
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rss feedCiting gas prices that are about 34 cents per gallon higher in Eastern Washington than the west side of the state, Sen. Maria Cantwell asked regulators Friday to investigate.
"These prices - some of the highest on record in Eastern Washington - are hurting local families, the region's agriculture and our entire state," Cantwell said in a news release.
Regular gas can be found for less than $2.70 a gallon west of the Cascades while the average in Spokane is $3.04. In Yakima, the average Friday was $3, exactly the same as a year ago, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. But gas is as low as $2.87 at some local stations.
Cantwell has asked the Federal Trade Commission to look into whether current price differences between Spokane and the Seattle-Tacoma areas exceed historical averages, how the local market concentration and ownership of fuel retailers differ and why diesel fuel prices are currently higher than gasoline prices.
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