The contributing market factors are well-documented. Demand continues to be strong among Utah's drivers for both business and private purposes. In recent months, fuel supplies have been adequate, but there certainly has not been excess capacity in our state's gasoline marketplace. And integrating new equipment required to meet the new federal ultra-low sulfur fuel specifications has caused some facilities to operate at lower than optimal capacity. As these technical issues are resolved, production should resume to normal levels.

Finally, the articles in question raised questions about the types of crude oil processed here. Simply put, refineries select the optimal crude oil slate to produce products to meet market demand at the lowest cost. Utah's refining industry is dependent on oil producers both in-state and out. We want them to be successful in order to keep supplying necessary crude oil. As an industry, we will continue to work with Utah oil producers to find the balance of crude types that best serves Utah consumers.

To summarize: Market conditions drive fuel costs, as demonstrated by upward and downward trends resulting from constantly changing factors. It's understandable that consumers and their elected representatives are more concerned in times of higher prices than lower. As previously mentioned, Utah's petroleum industry has cooperated with the Department of Commerce's study of our state's gasoline market and will continue to do so within the parameters of anti-trust laws.

As an industry, we take seriously our responsibility to provide essential energy products to the people of our state. We pledge our continued commitment to making Utah a great place to live and do business.

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Lee J. Peacock is the president of The Utah Petroleum Association.