Sen. Sanders Seeks Gas Price Probe
A federal investigation into unusually high gasoline prices in the Burlington, Vt., area was called for by Sen. Bernie Sanders. He asked the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a joint investigation to determine why gasoline prices in Chittenden, Grand Isle and Franklin counties are substantially higher than other parts of the state, New England, and similar areas throughout the country.
During one month, prices in greater Burlington fell just 15 cents a gallon -- from $3.84 to $3.69 for regular unleaded. That's the lowest price reduction in any of the 15 metro regions throughout New England, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report data. The average price drop at these New England metro areas for a gallon of regular unleaded was 25.9 cents during the month examined.
Greater Burlington, as defined by AAA, includes Chittenden, Grand Isle and Franklin Counties. The analysis conducted by Sanders' office used the AAA data for monthly gas price changes with the month ending June 25. During this same time period, prices fell as much as 34 cents per gallon in Manchester, N.H.
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In his letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Sanders asked them to determine whether or not high prices in Chittenden County were related to the fact that the four largest gas station companies in the county control 67 of the 115 filling stations, or 58 percent of the total.
Read the letter
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=6C8EF13C-B42F-494B-9436-FBE77B5B98DF
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where the prices wildly fluctuate in certain areas and mostly average about 20 cents higher than the national average in certain parts of the city. They will claim "it's what the market will bear" and generally, they'll all price-fix to the highest price along a main street with multiple stations. 
