From Deseret News archives:
Gas-pump anger grows
Utah prices are still 4th highest in the nation
On Monday, Utah's gasoline prices averaged $2.80 for a gallon of self-serve regular, ranking the fourth highest in the nation, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge report. A month ago, Utahns were paying an average of $2.99 a gallon.
Only Alaska, Hawaii and Nevada have higher gasoline prices than Utah.
Nationally, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline on Monday was $2.38, a decrease of 50 cents, or 17 percent, over the past month.
"I can't figure it out," Giani said. "What we're telling people to do is hunt down those places that can give you the best price available. If you've got to go a mile to get a little cheaper gas, I would do that."
Giani is leading an investigation launched Sept. 15 by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. into Utah's high gasoline prices. On Monday, Giani sent a letter to the Utah Petroleum Association asking for further information related to the investigation.
In addition, Giani is asking for the percentage of profits from the sale to retailers of all grades of unleaded gasoline that has been used by the refineries to subsidize the transition to ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.
Calls to the Utah Petroleum Association by the Deseret Morning News seeking comment were not returned by deadline Monday.
"We've got tons of questions, and they beg an explanation," Giani said. "We're just trying to get to the bottom of it. Will there be a violation of the law? I don't know."
Giani said two state statutes the Unfair Practices Act and the Consumer Sales Practices Act would likely be a stretch to apply to charging individual retailers. Federal antitrust laws would carry a bigger punch, but collusion between retailers and/or oil refineries would set a high burden of proof.
In the meantime, Utah consumers appear to be outraged over the state's continued high gasoline prices.
"As a former prosecutor, I'd be glad to prosecute these bloodsuckers for free when the evidence is established by investigators," said Mark Kleinfield in an e-mail to the Deseret Morning News. "Crooks in suits are still crooks."
Comments
- Haws playing like a veteran 12:36 a.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers 12:35 a.m.
- Jazz go up against 'the best' 12:33 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:26 a.m.
- Bobcats stun high-flying Nuggets 12:23 a.m.
- Utes finally get to host Michigan 12:18 a.m.
- Flash apologize, offer refund 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: Leave the economy alone 12:12 a.m.
- Dishonest global warming scientists 12:12 a.m.
- Tensions in Ceuta 12:12 a.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Snow brings big chill
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Ranking the bowl games
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Expert calls Mitchell delusional
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
278 - Letters: Global warming a lie
214 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
205 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
165 - Cougars going back to Vegas
148 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
143 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
110 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
99 - Revive full food tax?
94
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Joyce Gannon offers the following advice...
It will be good to hear "real play by play or even as analyst with Joel...
i hope hot rod gets confused while doing the play by play and thinks he's...
The BCS bowl team match-ups aren't what you think. First, yes the top two...
Even Ed Gein was found competant to stand trial.
So Bronco's okay with the churches "standard bearers" spewing hatred. Wierd....
By putting TCU & Boise together that means that the other 3 BCS games will...
Ticky... Tacky...
The DNews requests the lists from the region coaches. Ask your coaches why...
This story brings back memories of an Ogden base ball team, who promiced if a...
GO UTES!!!


You can be the first to comment on this story.