The price of a gallon of gasoline has been rising for the last few weeks and the sudden increases could suggest price gouging.
Nationwide, according to a daily report of pricing at the pump, the cheapest average price of gasoline can be found in Utah at $2.485 per gallon, while the highest average mark in the nation stands at $3.053 per gallon of regular in California.
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Energy received 35,000 complaints about gasoline prices, but there was no information on many complaints resulted in criminal charges. One service station owner in Centreville was convicted last year after the Katrina Hurricane.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a reminder that consumers can report what they may believe to be “gouging” or “price fixing.” Officials warn, however, that high prices are not necessarily indicators of gouging, with factors such as demand, the increasing price of a barrel of crude oil and the lingering effects of last summers hurricanes playing a role.
“There are many legitimate factors influencing the price consumers are paying at the pump … [and] while a majority of local merchants are fair and honest people, there may be some people looking to take advantage of consumers,” said U.S. DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman in a statement.
To report suspected gouging, consumers can visit gaswatch.energy.gov or call1-800-244-3301.
