Governor Davis Wants Investigation into Gas Prices

Governor Davis says he plans to send letters today to the California Public Utility Commission and Energy Commission to investigate the state´s steep rise in gasoline prices.

Davis says he´ll give the commissions 15 days to respond to the letters. He characterized the move as the opening inquiry into “potential criminality” among gas retailers, oil refineries and others in the petroleum industry. Davis says he doesn´t have any hard evidence of illegal activity. But he says he´ll work with state Attorney General Bill Lockyer if it seems anything more than normal market forces is causing the rise. Lockyer is already investigating gas prices. He says the state has not uncovered any illegal activity.

California has the highest average gas price in the country, at $2.10 per gallon.