State on lookout for gasoline price gouging

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Attorney General Bruce Botelho said Sept. 13 that the state has seen no evidence of gasoline price gouging since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

“I am pleased to report that yesterday’s survey of Anchorage retailers showed no pattern of raised prices,” Botelho said. “In fact, most gasoline prices were unchanged since last Friday, while a few stations dropped their prices by a penny a gallon, and a few stations went up by a penny a gallon.”

Surveys in Fairbanks and Juneau also indicated stable gasoline prices.

The Department of Law has been conducting regular gas station price surveys in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau as part of an ongoing investigation into gasoline pricing in the state.

Botelho also said that Alaska consumers should be reassured by information from both federal agencies and the oil industry showing that crude oil and gasoline supply and distribution remain abundant.

“There is no economic reason for concern or for price spikes,” Botelho said.